“Mr. and Mrs. Joe Gibbs Were Honored With Dinner By children Sunday –
“Sunday, July 24, marked the fiftieth wedding anniversary for a pioneer Claremore couple, Mr. and Mrs. Joe L. Gibbs, who reside on the Westside.
“A bountiful dinner was prepared at noon by their two daughter-in-laws, Mrs. Chas. Gibbs, of Tulsa, and Mrs. Scott Gibbs, of Jay.
“This couple has made Claremore their home during their entire married life and until the past five years, Mr. Gibbs had been actively engaged in business, but failing health forced his retirement.
“The party Sunday was attended by many of the old timers and the early days in this section was the topic of the day. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs eloped when they were married and they made several attempts before they finally reached Judge Watt Starr, who united them in marriage. On one of the occasions when they attempted to get married, they caught the train to Nowata and when they arrived there, Mrs. Gibbs’ father was waiting for the train to stop and he immediately brought the young daughter home, but love will find a way, and in this case Cupid is still present in this home after fifty years of happy married life. Three children were born to this union, one child passing away in infancy, but Charles Gibbs is now employed by an oil company in Tulsa, and Scott, the youngest son, resides on a farm near Jay.
“The following were present at the dinner Sunday: Mr. and Mrs. Charles Gibbs, son and daughter, Charlie and Jane of Tulsa, Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gibbs, son J. Scott, of Jay, Lloyd Creekmore, Tulsa, Mr. and Mrs. Ira Massengale, Sand Springs, Mr. and Mrs. J.F. Gibbs, Sand Springs.
“Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Slater and Mr. and Mrs. M.K. Slater of Tulsa, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Musgrove, C.S. Fry, Claremore, Mary Anne and Geraldine Harvey. LaHoma Gibbs, Sand Springs, Milo Slater, Tulsa, Bud Chambers, Claremore, Earl Fry, Tulsa.
“Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Starr, J. Frank Ryan, Claremore, Mr. and Mrs. Cal Johnson, Salina, Mrs. Leona Stephens, Taft, Calif., Bill Brimm, Pryor, Charlotte Gibbs Fry and W.F. Fry, Claremore.
“Mrs. Bettie Fults, of Pryor, Nannie Parsley, Claremore, Victorine Gibbs, Wichita, Kan., Gertie and Madelene Bowers, Sand Springs, Mildred Gourd, Sand Springs, Artie Hill, Baxter Springs, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Stewart, Springs Springs.
“Dock Gourd, Sand Springs, Mrs. F.L. Ward, Hulbert, Mrs. Mary Zellner, Hulbert, Mrs. Pearl Cannon, Hulbert, Richard Ward, Hulbert, Juliette Riggs, Joanna Pope, Tulsa, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Forsyth, Gazelle Lane, Claremore, Mary Jean Gladfelter, Emporia, Kan.
“The couple were the recipients of many beautiful gifts and a very enjoyable afternoon was spent. During the afternoon ice cream, cake and spiced punch was served to the many who called to pay their respects.
“The Progress pauses at this time to wish this couple many more anniversaries and the best of luck along life’s highway.” [1]
“Services For Joe L. Gibbs Friday
“Funeral services for Joe L. Gibbs, pioneer Claremore resident and early day business man, will be held Friday afternoon from the Thornhill chapel. Gibbs died Wednesday morning at his home on the West Side following an illness of two weeks.
“Gibbs, who was 79 years old, moved to Claremore 61 years ago from Kansas and had been active in business in and around Claremore for many years.
“Surviving are two sons, Charles, of Tulsa, and J. Scott, of Jay; one brother J.L. Gibbs, Sand Springs; two sisters, Mrs. William H. Fry and Mrs. A.V. Matney, of Claremore.
“Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery under the direction of the Thornhill Funeral Home.”[2]
“Joe Gibbs Was Laid to Rest Friday –
“The funeral of Joe L. Gibbs, a resident of Claremore for the past 61 years, was held Friday afternoon at 3p.m., from the Thornhill chapel on West Second street, with Rev. E.C. Hyde, of Tulsa, officiating. A quartet composed of Mesdames Bill Heritage, Johnnie Byer, Horace Miller and Harry Kates, accompanied by Mrs. C.B. Holtzendorff, rendered two numbers. Casket bearers were: Ural R. Hutchins, Teece Chambers, Russell Forsyth, Percy Alton, Charley Starr and Harry Kates.
“Mr. Gibbs was born in Mattoon, Ill., in 1864, and moved to this country when very young. He made his home here with his parents. Some 52 years ago he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Gourd, and to this union two sons, Charley, of Tulsa, and J. Scott, of Jay, were born, both of whom survive. Besides the wife and two sons, Mr. Gibbs is survived by one brother, J.L. Gibbs, Sand Springs and two sisters, Mrs. Will Fry, city, and Mrs. A.V. Matney, of Muskogee.
“Mr. Gibbs was an active business man in this city until some ten years ago when his health failed and he was forced to retire. He has many friends in all sections of the state who regret to learn of his passing.” [3]
“Attended Gibbs Rites
Among the many relatives and close friends here in attendance at the funeral services for Mrs. Joe L. Gibbs were Mr. and Mrs. Chas. A. Gibbs, Mrs. Lloyd Creekmore, of Tulsa; Pfc. Chas. A. Gibbs, USMCR, San Diego, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. J. Scott, Jay Scott Jr., Jackson McClain, of Jay; Mrs. Gertie Bowers and Chas. R. Gourd, of Sand Springs; Mrs. Clyde Maddox, of Las Vegas, Nevada.
“Miss Cheryl Janye Creekmore, of Tulsa; Mrs. Q.B. Gibson, Baxter Springs, Kans.; Mildred Gourd, Frank Gourd, Mrs. Frank Gibbs, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gibbs, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gibbs, Jr., and son, Mrs. Lahoma Underwood, Lloyd Stewart, all of Sand Springs.
“Mrs. L.T. Ward and son, of Tahlequah, Dan Gourd, of Independence, Mo; Dr. C.A. Mohr, Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Purlee, Miss Barbara Curlee, Mrs. Nat Skinner and daughter, Mrs. J.J. Johnson, W.M. Sedore, C.L. Towers.
“W.W. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Chambers, Mrs. Sarah Gourd, Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Fry, Dr. Fred Parsley, Mrs. Juliette Riggs, Mrs. Milo Slater, Mrs. Wayne Slater and Delores Slater, all of Tulsa.
“Mrs. Paul Fry, of Pryor, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Johnson, of Jay, Mrs. Frank Munford, of Shidler, Mrs. Anne Edwards and Mrs. F.M. Griswold, of Oklahoma City.”[4]
Third Street (aka 400 block Will Rogers Blvd.), looking West, Claremore, Oklahoma. Postcard. From left to middle: 1. O’Brien-Bridwell building (1910/11), 2. Theeson Bakery (1906), 3. Dr. M.H. Gordon-Rexall City Drug Store building (1925/26), 4. Campbell building (1911). Right to middle: Columbia building with Haas’s store (1911), Johnson-Gorey building (1909) with Electric movie Theatre, Loomis aka Red Rock building (1906), Burns building (1906), Bayless-Chambers-Forest building aka post office (1906), Eaton-Wilson Hardward building (1902).
Claremore’s REXALL- City Drug Store Building (aka Happydashery) – 407 W. Will Rogers Boulevard,Constructed 1925/1926 by Minor H. Gordon, MD.
The doctors Gordon dashed about Claremore caring for the health and well-being of the entire community for decades. Minor Elliott Gordon, MD, the son, followed in the footsteps of his father, the noted pioneer physician Dr. Minor H. Gordon.[1]
June 9, 1905, two years before Oklahoma statehood when Claremore’s Cooweescoowee district was still part of Indian Territory, the Claremore Messenger announced, “Dr. M.H. Gordon, whose card appears in our professional directory, has opened an office over the City Drug Store where he will be pleased to see his friends at any time and especially when in need of medical advice.”[2]
In those days before the discovery of penicillin and CT scans, Dr. M.H. Gordon walked his patients through countless medical horror stories.
In September, 1906, Zack Woodward jumped from a freight train and broke his leg. “Zack Woodward, of Centralia, had his leg broken Tuesday just south of town while jumping from a freight train. Woodward was in the company with Bob Johnson and they had rode [sic] on the freight from Chelsea so as to be here in time to catch the night passenger to Tahlequah where they had expected to attend school at the male seminary. The freight was a through one and they jumped from it, while running at high rate of speed with the above result to Woodward. He was at once taken to the office of Dr. F.A. Anderson and he and Dr. Gordon reduced the fracture and he was placed on the afternoon train and sent to Vinita.”[3]
After 1903, Claremore’s famed, medicinal “Radium Water” was regularly prescribed to heal the sick. Mr. and Mrs. Harris posted this grateful statement in the Claremore Messenger in December 1906. “A Card of Thanks. To the people of Claremore for their help and kindness during our stay with our sick baby. He took sick the first day of August and was given up to die, but through the healing power of the Radium Water and the successful treatment of Dr. Gordon, was restored to health. We leave for our home in Muskogee, and with loving, tender thoughts, will ever remember the people of Claremore. Mr. and Mrs. Harris.”[4]
When Miss Anna Hughes fell from a wagon and broke her arm, in March 1909, Dr. Gordon was called to set the fracture.[5] Then when “the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.P. Blakely fell on a piece of glass… cutting a two-inch gash in the forehead,” that same year, Dr. Gordon was the one called upon to stitch the wound.[6]
With many patients returning to health under the doctor’s expert care, his work was rewarding. Countless babies, and even the twins of Joe Breeden were delivered by Dr. Gordon.[7]
Matrimonial rumors flew fast and furiously in 1910 being confirmed in February. “Dr. M.H. Gordon is now a happy benedict, having married Miss Pauline Elliott (Pearl Elliott) at Kansas City last Thursday. Dr. Gordon is one of our prominent physicians and an upright citizen while the bride comes highly recommended. We welcome them to a permanent home in our city.”[8]
Four years later, on July 2, 1914, The Claremore Progresses announced there was, “A New Doctor in Town. Dr. M.H. Gordon, the portly physician whose face radiates good humor everywhere, is a happy man today, and a very busy one, so do not take occasion to become ill for Dr. hasn’t time to wait on you. It’s a big bouncing boy baby which arrived at his home Thursday morning and he’s too busy taking care of that son to pay much attention to anything else. Just look at him and you’ll catch him grinning when there’s no joke anywhere. There’s a new doctor in our town and last report have it that mother and baby are doing nicely.”[9] This new baby, who also became a medical doctor, was the well-known Minor Elliott Gordon.
January 1917, Dr. and Mrs. M.H. Gordon also became “the proud parents of a New Year’s present, a bouncing 10-pound boy, who arrived at their home at 3:30 Monday morning.”[10] This baby who also studied medicine was named Jack Elliott Gordon.
As happened too often in the early days, Georgia Gregg suffered severe burns when her oven exploded and Dr. Gordon attended to her injuries. [11] That same year, in October 1920, the shocking story was recorded that “E. Wall had the misfortune of running over the youngest son of Art Kelsey… Dr. Gordon was called and (reported) that outside of a few bruises the lad (was) not injured.”[12]
Astonishingly, in March 1922, Eddie Pittman accidentally shot himself with his own rifle. “He got out of bed to shoot a rat in his room over the Ault Drug Store and in getting his 22-rifle from a closet, accidently discharged the gun. The bullet entered his left breast, just to the right of the shoulder bone… Assistant Chief of Police Tom Dean and Dr. M.H. Gordon were called. Dr. Gordon dressed the wound… Pittman said, ‘Oh I am feeling pretty well. It was a close call. But it sure is tough to have to shoot yourself to get your name in the paper.’”[13]
No respecter of persons, the good doctor also cared for inmates in the county jail. “Dr. M.H. Gordon was summoned to the county jail Sunday night to attend Bessie Leyon, who had drank [sic] a quantity of Lysol. She being held on a burglary charge. Dr. Gordon gave her medical assistance and Tuesday she was reported to be getting along nicely. Those at the jail believe she was trying to end her life.”[14]
And with ultimate sadness, Dr. Gordon was called upon to examine dead bodies to verify or determine their identities and perhaps the cause of death.[15] “Dr. Gordon conducted a post-mortem examination,” in May 1921, for “evidence in the preliminary hearing of Bruce Collins and George Rowden (who were) charged with the murder of Eullis and Albert Jones, brothers in Hickory Hollow.”[16]
October 1925, Dr. Gordon had a new business investment in mind, a “New Brick Building For Claremore. The Claremore business section, between the two depots, on Third street (Will Rogers Boulevard), is to have another new brick building. It is to be built by Dr. M.H. Gordon. Ground was broken Tuesday afternoon for the structure which is to be built on a 25-foot frontage between the Hill Henley Hardware building (to the west), which Dr. Gordon also owns, and Felt’s Bakery (to the east on the south side of Main Street). It is to be two stories, half of the way back to the alley, so Dr. Gordon may have an office upstairs and a store room for rent down stairs… This building is being erected on a lot, formerly owned by Joe L. Gibbs, who operated a curio shop there in a frame (building) for a number of years. Dr. Gordon grumbles a lot about the conditions but he still believes in the ultimate future of Claremore as is evidenced by the latest move.”[17]
That November, building materials were hauled to the job site and the announcement made, “R.D. Pollard will oversee the work and he says plans call for one of the nicest buildings on the street.” The projection was it would take about 40 days to complete the structure.[18]
Construction of the building continued into January of the new year, 1926. When completed, the first floor would “be occupied by the City Drug store.”[19] This was the same City Drug Store business that had been in existence in Claremore as early as 1895, when it was said to have also housed a circulating library where patrons could “get any book you want for 10 cents.”[20]
The brick Gordon building was two stories in front, one story in back, 30 feet wide and traversed all the way to the back alley.[21] The second story was reached by entering a separate street-level door, typical of many Claremore buildings of the era. From this door, patients who had an appointment with Dr. Gordon, ascended a steep narrow stairway which was, of course, difficult for wheelchair, injured, and older patients to climb. A mezzanine level was sandwiched in between the building’s primary floors towards the back and entered from the first floor business space. Dr. Gordon’s name can still be seen written on the pieces of lumber chosen by “RD Pollard, Claremore, Okla., M.H. Gordon Job,” reserved for this project by the local lumber company, and used to construct this part of the building.
Finally, by mid-January, “The City Drug store moved into its new home, in the new M.H. Gordon building, first door west of Felt’s Bakery. It was quite a task moving this drug store which has been in the same location for the past 27 years. ‘But,’ said Mrs. Carlson, ‘it was really the only way to house clean.’
“The new home is very attractive. The business room was designed especially to house this drug store and everything fits as nice as pie. There is a balcony at the back which gives the store additional floor space and the spacious confines of the room proper makes it one of the nicest drug stores in the city. The front area floor is of tile, while the room proper is rat and bug proof. It was built on the sanitary lines of modern buildings; the construction being supervised by R.D. Pollard. And added to this is the fact that Dr. Gordon did not spare money in material and the best labor that could be had in the community, the result being that he now has the nicest building on Third street between the two stations. He will have his offices upstairs, the building being two stories half way back.
“The management of the City Drug store, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Carlson, invite the people of Claremore to pay them a visit in their new home. It is stated that the effort will be put forth to give even better quality and service in the future than in the past. The facilities are better for the rendering of such service and every effort will be expended in this direction.”[22]
With celebration in mind, in February 1926, Mrs. J. Leon Broganentertained her friends “at the messanine [sic] floor of the City Drug store, with a bridge luncheon from 1 o’clock until 3. This newly constructed balcony was prettily decorated for the occasion and was an ideal setting for a jolly gathering. Covers were laid for forty guests and an elegant luncheon was served, after which the afternoon was spent at auction (bridge).”[23]
By April, “A new up to the minute beauty Salon (was being) installed in the mezzanine floor of the City Drug store. Only expert operators will be employed. The place is being made most attractive and will be open for business in a few days.”[24] The newspaper ad read, “The City Drug Store invites your inspection of and solicits your patronage for The Rexall Beauty Parlor which will open Wednesday, May 5th, 1926. A modern parlor, with competent operators, specializing in every department of Beauty Culture. Permanent wave, hair dye, massage, Marcelle (“a hairdo characterized by deep regular waves that are made by a heated curling iron”[25]), manicure. Phone 34 for appointments.”[26] Miss Hope Ames was operator of the Rexall Beauty Parlor by that July.[27]
By June, “The Fountain at the Rexall Store, The City Drug Store, Roy Carlson, Prop.” was up and running. “For refreshments you will find the ideal place – delicious, refreshing soda.”[28]
The following year, W.F. McCray, of Little Rock, Ark., took “charge of the Rexall luncheonette, operated until recently by Clark Adams, at the City Drug store. Mr. McCray is an experienced man in the sandwich business and should make a success of his venture here. The first change in policy will be to reduce the sandwiches to popular prices. Mr. McCray will carry a full line of sandwiches, chili and hot drinks. He invites the patronage of the people of Claremore and vicinity on merit of quality and service alone.”[29]
Once the City Drug store project was complete, in August 1926, Dr. M.H. Gordon leased and began a $5,000 to $6,000 “modern” remodel of the building he owned to the west of the drug store to make a space large enough for a J.C. Penny Company store to locate in Claremore.[30]
July 12, 1928, the unexpected announcement was made, “The City Drug Store closed its doors Tuesday afternoon when its proprietor, Roy Carlson, failed to put in an appearance after he left the city Sunday night for parts unknown. The National Bank of Claremore held a mortgage on the stock of the drug store. The City Drug Store was Claremore’s Rexall drug store. It apparently for a long time had been on the down grade. The store was opened again Thursday afternoon by E.A. Church, representing the bank, and an invoice of the stock is being taken. Afterwards the stock will be replenished and the store operated under Mr. Church’s management. The location is a good one and with the proper management the trade of this drug store can be built up again.”[31]
That September, Tschauner – Leeds purchased the City Drug Store. “The City Drug Store recently purchased by John A. Bell from the National Bank of Claremore has been sold by Mr. Bell to R.L. Tschauner and E.W. Leeds. Mr. Tschauner is here in charge of this store while Mr. Leeds manages a drug store which they have in their home town, near Omaha, Nebraska. The store is being re-stocked with a large supply of Rexall and other drugs. This community is fortunate in acquiring such live business men as these as citizens.”[32]
Long-time Claremore residents may remember Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Tschauner who once owned the Rexall Drug Store business with its beauty shop at the mezzanine level towards the back of the building. The drugstore had the customary pressed tin ceilings from front to back. The pharmacy counter was on the left side of the store and a soda fountain was located on the right of the room. Root beer in tall frosty glasses cost 5c. Other kinds of soda cost a dime. The store also offered S&H Green Stamps which were given with purchase and redeemed for prizes.
At this time, “Mrs. Lucile Lessert leased the Rexall Beauty Shop, at the City Drug Store” and took charge personally while retaining the former operator Mrs. Nellie Thorn.[33]
With the transition of ownership, by September 1928, the City Drug was remodeled. “The interior of the City drug store is being completely renovated and remodeled by the new management. The sales floor is being shortened by some 20 feet and the stock is being arranged in a more compact manner. The interior is also to be repainted and the front of the store will be (redesigned). When all of the contemplated work is done this will be one of the very nicest drug stores in the city. A $6,000 stock is also being placed on the shelves, including the Rexall line and other drugs.”[34]
That November, the Rexall Beauty Shop re-opened under the operation of Hope Ames who had returned to Claremore from her home in Arkansas City, Kan. The beauty shop had also gotten a face lift having “been re-varnished and completely renovated.”[35] Ames changed the name of her salon to The Cara Nome Beauty Shoppe advertising “At the Cara Nome Beauty Shoppe, on the balcony of the Rexall Drug Store, Frederic’s Vitatonic permanent waves at $6 and $8, marcels at 60c, and manicures for 50c are given by experienced operators. At such prices, any woman may look her well-groomed best, and still not deplete her bankroll. In addition, S.&H. Green Stamps are given on accounts at this shoppe. Two-fold value, as well as excellent services.”[36]
Mrs. Jack was owner and operator of the Cara Nome Beauty Shoppe on the balcony of the Rexall Store by December 1931.[37] Then in January 1932, Mrs. Phifer installed a new permanent wave machine at the Cara Nome Beauty Shoppe. The new machine was a “Shelton Croquignole – one of the very latest models, and enables the Cara Nome to give any kind of wave desired by the public. The price of permanent waves at this popular beauty shop are $5, $8, and $10, with satisfaction guaranteed. Mrs. Phifer is an expert operator – one of the very best in Northeastern Oklahoma. She is backed by years of experience in the work. Mrs. Phifer also announces that she is soon to install a Turbinator drier. This is conceded to be the latest, quickest and best drier on the market, and when added will place the Cara Nome one step higher on its march of perfect service to the patrons. The Cara Nome stands ready to serve the public of this locality with beauty culture that leaves nothing to be desired by Milady who wants to look right.”[38]
The tall permanent wave machine was placed on wheels to be easily moved to each customer’s chair. Curlers hung from the machine on long electric cords. When curlers were attached to a woman’s hair, she looked as if she was being attacked by a giant mechanical alien. If a woman stayed hooked up to the machine for too long her hair got fried.
It was with sad hearts that the Claremore Progress reported the passing of Dr. Minor H. Gordon, who died of pneumonia on November 11, Armistice Day, 1935. “Dr. Gordon is not dead. His spirit will live in this community forever. He touched the lives of many people that even a minister of the gospel could not reach. He did good that was never known. He hid his best qualities always, from a fine sense of modesty that few knew he had, but he did… Such men write their life history in indelible ink which never fades and which never grows dim. This kind of a man was our friend, ‘the big doctor.’”[39]
Of course, the younger, Dr. M.E. Gordon’s medical practice was of a more modern nature than his pioneer doctor father’s. Accepted and entering Medical school at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Ark., in 1938,[40] Dr. M.E. Gordon graduated with his M.D. degree, was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the U.S. army, and served an internship at St. John’s hospital, Tulsa, in 1942.[41] Called to active duty in June 1943, M.E. Gordon married Miss Marjorie Kilgore (Elizabeth Kilgour), May 21, 1944,[42] and eventually returned to Claremore, moving into the home formerly owned by George D. Davis.[43] It was in Claremore or more specifically at Tulsa’s St. John’s hospital, that the Gordons’ eight-pound son, Minor Kilgour was born.[44] This announcement brought Capt. M.E. Gordon home to Claremore from his military outpost in Manila.[45] This announcement was made, “Capt. Minor Gordon arrived in the city Friday of this past week for a short visit with his wife and son. He will go to Camp Chaffee, Ark., for his discharge. He has been in the service for the past four years. Captain Gordon will take up the practice of medicine in this city upon his discharge from the service.”[46]
August 24, 1947, the Gordon’s seven-pound and eleven ounce son, Minor William, was born at Claremore’s Franklin hospital.[47]
Dr. M.E. Gordon located his office above the REXALL Drug Store, just as his father had done before him. The building was constructed when the younger Gordon was just over a decade old.
A checkerboard designed gray, white, and black tiled floor welcomed guests into the doctor’s office downstairs entryway. Matching tile was found in the bathroom above and in the drugstore on the ground floor. Transom windows above the doorways in the doctor’s office allowed for air flow from exterior windows into the waiting rooms and Dr. Gordon’s private office in the front of the building. “Dr. M.E. Gordon, M.D., by Appointment Only” was painted on the window of one of the interior office doors. The other doors said “Private.”
Now a happy new chapter has commenced for the M.H. Gordon building. Happydashery has recently moved into the downstairs floor space of the old City Drug Store, and lovely vintage living spaces have been created for lease in what used to be the doctor’s offices. Slow your pace and step into Happydashery sometime soon to enjoy a deep, satisfying, and healthy breath of Claremore’s medicinal pioneer history. We trust a visit will refresh your soul.
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Sources:
Unless otherwise noted Oklahoma newspapers were sourced through the Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.
[1] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33785369/minor-h-gordon Dr. Minor H. Gordon. Birth 1877. Death 1935 (aged 57-58). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot NA.-1.-L7.-6E. Created by Erice Wilcox. Spouse: Pearl Elliott (1877 – 1966).
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33785411/pearl-gordon Pearl Elliott Gordon. Birth 1877. Death 1966 (aged 88-89). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot NA.-1.L7.-5E. “Dr. M.H. Gordon 1877-1935 His wife Pearl Elliott 1877 – 1966.” Created by Erice Wilcox.
If you would like to read “320 0n Main – From Rustic Auto Mechanics’ Garage to Elegant Events’ Venue, Part 1”, first, please click here.
Interest heightened for J. Leon Brogans Fiddle and Dance contest, to be held at his Brogan Motors Company location, as The Claremore Progress reported, “Fiddling Contest and Dancing Party – There will be one of the most unusual parties ever staged in Rogers county held in the showrooms of the Brogan Motor Company on Saturday night, January 16th, beginning at 8 o’clock. Mr. Brogan says that extensive plans have been made to make the party an entire success and every effort will be made by him, and all his organization, consisting of about sixteen men, will be on hand and nothing will be left undone to make this one of the most successful and entertaining parties that has ever been held in the town… The judges have been selected and everything is now in readiness for the party. The only thing required for entrance in this fiddling contest will be the fiddle and the bow. The guests will be expected to wear a smile and keep it while in the house… ‘This is to be a party for all the people,’ says Mr. Brogan, and we know that he means everything he says in regard to it being a huge success. The only thing to make it so will be a large attendance and there is no doubt that one and all will be there to see the different fiddlers and their accompanists ‘do their stuff.’”[i]
“The old fashioned county fiddlers contest… is proving quite popular. Already thirty-five fiddlers have registered for the contest and they do not all come from Rogers county. Musicians from neighboring counties have taken an interest and will be here as well as some of the best dancers of northeastern Oklahoma as there is to be a suitable award for the best dancing couple. Nothing is barred, not even the Charleston, except that it be decent and orderly.
“The salesroom of the Brogan Motor company is being prepared for the party. On the floor will be displayed one of each model Ford makes, and the other floor space will be reserved for the dancers. The big loving cup, to be awarded the best fiddler, has arrived. It is twelve inches high and is to be suitably engraved for the winner. Time, expense and effort are not being spared to make this fiddling and dancing contest an event of real enjoyment both for the participants and for those who come to look on… Indications are that the loving cup will be hotly contested for.”[ii]
In the end, the “Fiddlers’ Ball Was a Big Success – One of the largest commercial parties ever held in Claremore was the Fiddlers’ Ball, Saturday night at the Brogan Motor Company. So many people accepted Mr. Brogan’s invitation to participate that the salesroom was crowded all evening long and the sidewalks in the vicinity were filled with the overflow. Thirteen fiddlers competed for the loving cup and as a result there was lively music for the dancing of the old time square dances. The loving cup went to Calvin Lester, of near Claremore, and prizes for dancing were awarded to Charles Clark, first for men, Mrs. Blunt, first for ladies; Charles C. McMillan, second for the men and Mrs. John Bussey, second for the ladies, the judges being John Johnson, Tom Cline and A.A. Dennison. This was a fine party in every sense of the word. There was no drinking and everybody was out for a good time. It is only to be regretted that the place was not larger so that all could enjoy the affair. The Progress suggests that Mr. Brogan give another party and get the largest hall in the city in which to stage it. During the evening the sum of $50.75 was raised for the Wilburton mine disaster relief.”[iii]
“A large number of the Tiawah people spent Saturday in Claremore, and attended the dance at the Brogan Motor Company. All reported a good time.” [iv] “Parties like Brogan staged… will do more to promote a better feeling between the farmer and the business man than most anything we can think of.” [v]
A farther reaching marketing stratagem was found in the creating of the “’Brogie News,’ a trades paper, to be published every two weeks and circulated in the Claremore trade territory by the Brogan Motor Company.” Making its first appearance in February 1926, the Progress explained, ‘Brogie News “is published by the employees of the motor company and is filled with live news about the Ford car. Erle Fry is the artist on the paper and with practice it is hoped that he gets over. The publication of this trades paper is an original idea of the new general manager, L.C. (Mag) Haggard. And it is a good one. The Brogan Motor Company intends to work the trade territory more in the future than in the past, and in this extension movement, the bulletin every two weeks will be a valuable stimulus.” [vi]
The Brogan Motor Co., closed for a few days in June 1927, while an inventory in stock is was taken.[vii]
The purpose of this inventory became clear throughout the Claremore community when it was announced by the Claremore Progress, June 30, 1927, “Brogan Motor Company Changes Hands – A deal was closed Saturday where by O.I. Butler, of Chicago, Ill., and H. G. Hayes, of Enid, bought the Brogan Motor Company from J. Leon Brogan. Both are experienced automobile men and will direct every effort in Claremore to give service at this Ford agency. Both are very pleasant and should rapidly acquire themselves a large circle of friends in the home of Radium Water. Welcome to our city, gentlemen. The new firm name will be known in the future as the Butler-Harris Motor Company. Ford cars, trucks, and tractors and Lincoln, sales and service will be the stock in trade of this new concern. The same location will be used, Third and Cherokee.”[viii] Unfortunately, legal family matters were also being play out as Brogan sold his Ford dealership and moved from Claremore to Shawnee, Oklahoma.[ix]
The following year, the Butler-Hayes partnership was dissolved. “A Claremore partnership – The Butler-Hayes Motor Co., local Ford agency, has been dissolved. O.I. Butler has sold his half interest in the business to H.G. Hayes. The agreement became effective Monday, February 6th, 1928. Mr. Hayes will continue to operate the business at its present location, Third and Cherokee, and hopes to make many souls in this vicinity happy by riding in the new Ford.”[x] A year later, H.G. Hayes Motor Company moved out of the Bayless-Davis building to occupy the old Mason Garage space further west.[xi]
Around 1933, a transitional shift began to occur regarding the street addresses of the stores in the triple-space Bayless-Davis building. Lot 11 (addressed as 320 & 322) was divided into a large and a tiny store space. Lot 12 & 13, labeled 324, continued to be a combined store space.
In July 1930, The Claremore Progress announced that “Claremore’s Great New Food Store. The A&P Food Store” would locate at 320 West Third Street becoming the first A&P Store in Claremore.[xii] This grocery lasted at this location until 1931.[xiii]
Then, the Baby Ritz Café opened at 320 West Third Street in July 1931 with May and Jewell Luttrell as proprietors. Advertisements proclaimed, “Your patronage appreciated.”[xiv] “Friends of Mrs. May Luttrell, who has been employed as cook at the Claremore Café for a number of years, will be pleased to learn that she is reopening the Baby Ritz Café at 320 West 3rd street. This café has not been operating for some time, and with the reputation that Mrs. Luttrell has built up around Claremore for the excellence of her food, her success is assured. Mrs. Luttrell will be assisted by her daughter, Miss Jewel Luttrell, who has had considerable experience in café work, and at the present time is working in the Hotel Will Rogers Coffee Shop. Their many friends wish them success in this new venture.”[xv]
It appears that somewhere between 1931 and 1937 the final shift of addresses discussed at the beginning of this story occurred.
It was in October of 1934 that John A. Bell moved his Annex Sweet shop, that eventually became Bell’s Confectionery, and the Union bus station “from its location in the former post office building to the corner of the same block in the west half of the room formerly occupied by the A.& P. Store. This new home is very desirable. The room is a large, light and airy one and the equipment of the sweet shop has been installed, attractively. In the future, busses, instead of unloading in the Braiser used car lot, will park at the curb on Cherokee, west of the new bus station, and take on passengers from that point. The bus station is operated by John A. Bell and his son Ferris. They handle a complete line of cold drinks, magazines, books, tobacco and can arrange bus transportation for you, to any point in the United States. They invite you to visit them in their new home.”[xvi] Bell’s Confectionery was advertised in the local news and telephone directories as being located at 322 West Third Street.[xvii]
In August of 1937, it was announced that Herman McCord Motor Sales, “Your New Hudson and Terra Plane Dealer,” was located at 320 W. Third St., Claremore.”[xviii]
The following year, “The Maytag Washer Sign was taken down… and re-appeared later in the day just one door east of Bell’s Confectionery at The Quality Market. Mr. and Mrs. F.P. Howlett have just opened this place of business. The Quality Market will handle all kinds of meats, staple, and fancy groceries. Libby’s goods are noticeable on the shelves. Visit this new store and meet these friendly young people. The Quality Market, 320 West Third street”[xix] and the Ideal Café resided in the building in 1939.[xx]
A more permanent resident, a furniture store moved in, in January 1940. The Claremore Progress explained, “The Mason Nowlin-Feezel furniture store has moved to their new location, 320 West Third street, first door east of Bell’s Confectionary. This popular furniture store, probably one of the oldest in northeastern Oklahoma, has occupied the store room just east of the Mission Club for several years.”[xxi] Mason Nowlin-Feezell advertised, “Come in and visit us. You will find a cordial welcome. Full Line of Furniture, Rugs, Linoleum, Stoves, Radios, Electric Refrigerators.”[xxii]
That same month, The Nowlin Millinery “moved its location to 320 West Third, with the Nowlin-Feezell Furniture Company. Mrs. Feezell still carries the newest line of hats, and she said to tell you that the new spring millinery will soon be in stock. And for right now, why not come down and get a hat to ‘brighten up’ your winter dresses? Remember the address – The Nowlin Millinery.”[xxiii] Both the 1942 and 1944 American Telephone and Telegraph telephone books list the “Nowlin Feezell Furn. Co. 320 W. 3rd.”[xxiv]
1948 was the year a big push was made to change Claremore’s Third street’s name. “Why Not a Will Rogers Boulevard?” The Claremore Daily Progress asked. “We feel it would be fitting and proper for Claremore to re-name its Third street (or main street, as most folks call it) to ‘Will Rogers Boulevard.’”[xxv] And so the undertaking was accomplished that October.
“Main Street Is Re-named In Honor of Will Rogers. The Claremore city council voted Monday night to re-name Third street as ‘Will Rogers Boulevard’ in honor of Rogers county’s favorite son… The council and Mayor Elmer Tanner agreed that the address numbers on Will Rogers Boulevard will remain unchanged. The name change also is not expected to affect the legal description of real estate properties fronting on the boulevard.”[xxvi]
Typifying an exceptionally busy office space Eva Walker Insurance Agency, General Insurance, also housed her business at 320 W. Will Rogers Boulevard in 1951.[xxvii]
Change was to be expected; in 1945 Nowlin-Feezell was out, and Peggy and Earl Jones moved their Furniture & Appliance Co. into their new store at 320 West Third Street.[xxviii]
The Jones Furniture store continued at this location[xxix] with competitor Clark D. Mason’s Furniture store sitting one door to the east. [xxx] This neighborly combination lasted until 1959 when the Jones store changed owners. “A joint announcement was made here Saturday that the Jones Furniture and Appliance Co., located at 320 West Will Rogers, has been sold by Mr. and Mrs. Earl Jones to Mr. and Mrs. Phil Smith, formerly of Pryor. In announcing the sale, Mr. and Mrs. Jones stated that they will continue to live in Claremore and will assist the Smiths in the operation of the store.”[xxxi] Thereafter, the store at 320 West Will Rogers was, not surprisingly, renamed Smith Furniture & Appliance.[xxxii]
Business prospered for Mr. Smith, and in 1962 he announced the purchase of his competitor’s business next door. “Announces Mason Purchase. Phil Smith, owner of Smith Furniture and Appliance at 320 W. Will Rogers, has announced the purchase of Mason Furniture Store from Mrs. Clark D. Mason owner. The Mason Furniture store is located next door to Smith’s store. Smith said the Mason store will be closed Tuesday to prepare for a liquidation sale scheduled in the near future. Smith said he will expand his business into the Mason store at a later date. The Mason Furniture store has been located here since 1934 and moved to the present building in 1945.”[xxxiii]
Smith did not wait long to fully move into his new business space. March 21, the announcement was made, “Starting tomorrow, we are moving all of the Smith Furniture stock into the Mason Furniture Building, and we had rather deliver furniture to your house than move it next door.”[xxxiv] By June 1962, “Mr. Phil Smith, owner of Smith Furniture and Appliances” was a proud and “most gracious host as he showed” a customer “around his newly redecorated and air conditioned store.”[xxxv] But that was not the end of Smith’s expansion.
December 30, 1962, The Progress recorded, “Building Sale Here Is Told. Smith Furniture and Appliance of 316 West Will Rogers Boulevard has purchased the Powell Cleaners building next door and plans to use it for expansion, it was announced Saturday. Phil Smith, owner-operator of the furnishings store, said the front of the building will be used for display of used furniture and appliances after they have been renovated. The rear part will be used as a warehouse. Smith purchased the building from Ava Powell, who left the dry cleaning business after being elected county judge. Workmen already have started remodeling the building. Two new entrances will be made, one from the other store for use by customers and the other toward the rear for moving merchandise between the two buildings.”[xxxvi] Smith stayed at this location until at least 1989, after which the name disappears from the Claremore Southwestern Bell Telephone Book. [xxxvii]
Smith’s departure left 320 W. Will Rogers vacant that July 1962, and a new business entrepreneur took possession. “The Fabric Shop… will conduct a grand opening featuring free door prizes. The new business, also to be the Singer Sewing Center, will feature a complete line of fabrics and drapery samples. Owners are Mrs. James Summerlin and her mother, Mrs. H.K. Kearney. Shoppers are invited to attend the grand opening Saturday and register for a set of chinaware to be given away during the event.”[xxxviii]
In 1963, the businesses housed in the triplet Bayless-Davis building included Smith Furniture and Appliance, Phil Smith owner (Lot 11), The Fabric Shop, Thelma Kearney owner (Lot 12), and Bell’s Confectionery, Mrs. John A. Bell, owner (Lot 13 on the western corner).
But it was time for a change once again. Chris Walker recalls Lloyd and Margaret Walker owned 320 W. Will Rogers Boulevard from 1963 to 2006/7, locating Lloyd’s Furniture & Appliances there until the store closed in 1985/6.[xxxix]
About 1986, R&R Used Furniture took up residence with an advertisement stating, “We buy and sell used furniture and appliances, new bedding and beds… free delivery available. Moving service – large or small.”[xl] R&R stayed at its 320 Main Street location into the 1990s[xli] until it also succumbed to the lure of the business building next door and moved its stock into the 316 building to the east.[xlii]
Thereafter, for almost 10 years in the early 1990s, Second to None consignments located in the 320 building. In 2006/7, the Walkers sold the building “to Aaron Ewton; he built the apartment upstairs and added the mezzanine when he turned it into King of Clubs,” Chris Walker remembers.[xliii]
Many fondly remember the King of Clubs as being just the right sized music and dance venue for Claremore’s small college town.
“Oh the times we had there! So much fun!” reminisces Phillip Tubbs, once manager of the King of Clubs. “I came in and started working for Aaron and went on to manage the venue and the booking part of things… Lots of great bands, that went on to be huge, played here!… We had all kinds of different types of music that went on to be big for their style – Day to Remember, Jeffrey Star.” [xliv]
David Clanin, CPA, recalls, “Danielle and I had the dance studio from 2011 through 2016, ‘Claremore Dance Studio’. We remodeled the upstairs to offices, and I officed there until I bought another building. I believe I was there from 2012 until 2015. After I moved out I leased the office to the Homebuilders Association.”[xlv]
Susan Gephart, Director of Events, is part of the Duncour team now managing and operating the current Three Twenty on Main event venue. Susan recently shared, “Duncour Properties (Tommy Duncan of Inola and Brian Courtney of Pryor) purchased the building from Brent Green in 2017. They renovated the building for 320 on Main. Duncour Events has conducted business at 320 W. Will Rogers Blvd. as 320 on Main ever since. The venue opened on March 1, 2017.”[xlvi]
“Interestingly,” Susan adds, “when the building was converted to 320 on Main, the very first wedding that was held in the newly renovated building was that of Phillip Tubbs!”[xlvii] What a charming happenstance.
Now, 111-years after its inception, the Bayless-Davis triplet building houses Rhapsody Boutique and Spa (318), 320 on Main (320), and Vintique Charm (322). Any traces of the original rustic Claremore Auto Garage located at 320 on Main have vanished, replaced by an elegant events venue of which the Claremore community can be proud. As The Claremore Progress prophesied in 1913, “The building will make a wonderful improvement in the appearance of that part of town.” How true!
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Sources:
[i] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 14, 1926. P. 7. Newspapers.com.
[ii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 14, 1926. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[iii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 21, 1926. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[iv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 21, 1926. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[v] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 21, 1926. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[vi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 4, 1926. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[vii]The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 16, 1927. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[viii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 30, 1927. P. 1 & 2. Newspapers.com.
[ix] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 23, 1927. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 30, 1927. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[x] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 9, 1928. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[xi] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, May 30, 1929. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 3, 1930. P. 8. Newspapers.com.
[xiii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, May 6, 1931. P. 8. Newspapers.com.
[xiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, July 1, 1931. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, July 1, 1931. P. 8. Newspapers.com.
[xvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, October 29, 1934. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, October 4, 1935. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
Telephone Directory. Claremore, Okla. May 1937 Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. p. 2.
[xviii] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, August 7, 1937. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xix] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, August 3, 1938. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xx] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, June 27, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxi] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, January 3, 1940. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 4, 1940. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxiii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, January 12. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxiv] May 1942 ATT Telephone Book Nowlin Feezell Furn Co. 320 W. 3. P. 7. ATT Telephone Book Nowlin Feezell Furn Co. 320 W. 3. P. 11.
[xxv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, March 18, 1948. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, October 5, 1948. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, October 7, 1951. P 6. Newspapers.com.
[xxviii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, October 3, 1945. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxix] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, December 19, 1948. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xxx] Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. May 1954. W. Will Rogers Blvd: Jones 320 p. 16. Mason 316 p. 316.
[xxxi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, February 8, 1959. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, February 15, 1959. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[xxxiii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, February 25, 1962. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxiv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, March 21, 1962. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, June 17, 1962. P. 12. Newspapers.com.
[xxxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Sunday, December 30, 1962. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxvii] W. Will Rogers Blvd: R&R Used Furniture 320, Smith 316 p. 83. Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. March 1989.
[xxxviii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 12, 1962. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxix] Lloyd’s Furniture & Appliances 320 W. Will Rogers. P. 26. Claremore | Oologah Oklahoma Telephone Directory. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. May 1966. Chris Walker recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.
[xl] Claremore Area Yellow Pages Directory. Southwestern Bell. March 1991 – 1992. P. 133.
[xli] Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. March 1988.
[xlii] 1995 March – W. Will Rogers Blvd: R&R Used Furniture 316 p. 82. Southwestern Bell Telephone Directory. Claremore, Oklahoma. March 1995.
[xliii] Chris Walker recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.
[xliv] Phillip Michael Tubbs recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.
[xlv] David Clanin recollection. Explore Claremore History Facebook page. January 22, 2024.
[xlvi] Email Interview with Susan Gephart, January 22, 2024.
[xlvii] Email Interview with Susan Gephart, January 22, 2024.
In the spring of 1912, The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat announced, “E.W. O’Brien purchased of Messrs. (Earle) Bayless and (George D.) Davis a lot at the (southwest) corner of Third (aka Will Rogers Boulevard) and Cherokee with a fifty-foot frontage. He will shortly commence work on a two-story brick building at this corner extending the entire length of the lot.” This became the O’Brien-Bridwell building that eventually housed Ann’s Cleaners. The newspaper continued, “It is also understood that Bayless and Davis will do some building in this section of the business district.”[i] It was not until the following spring that brothers-in-law Bayless and Davis began their building campaign on the northeast corner of this intersection.
“New Building to Be Erected,” The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat informed the community in 1913. “Earle G. Bayless and G.D. Davis let the contract Wednesday for a one-story brick building, 75 ft. wide by 115 ft. long to be erected on the lot opposite C.B. Littlefield’s office (located in the Campbell building across the street) and upon which the old Draper Meat Market formerly stood, to the firm of Cockran & Meyers, of Coffeyville, Kansas. The building will make a wonderful improvement in the appearance of that part of town, and especially from the Iron Mountain trains, as it will be a good substantial building, built out of the same kind of brick that was used in the construction of the Hall building opposite the gas office. It will be divided into three rooms, one for a garage and the other two for store rooms.”[ii] This building located in lots 11, 12, and 13 of Block 105, Claremore, Oklahoma, grew into the triplet building we now know as 318, 320, and 322 West Will Rogers Boulevard.
Claremore historians well know that untangling the twisted threads of specific businesses that inhabited this triple-space building is challenging, as West Third Street addresses shifted several times during the course of the building’s lifespan. Lot 11 (think Rhapsody Boutique), now 318, was originally labeled with the street addresses of 320 (1916 & 1925) and 320 & 322 (1933 & 1940). Lot 12 (think Three Twenty on Main), now 320, was originally labeled 322 (1916 & 1925) and 324 (1933 & 1940). Lot 13, (think Vintique Charm) now 322, was originally labeled 324 (1916, 1925 & 1933) and 326 (1940) according to Claremore’s Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps 1916, 1925, 1933, and 1940. Addresses and building descriptions in newspaper articles do not always align with notations on these fire insurance maps.
Construction on the three-space Bayless-Davis building began in earnest May 1913 as reported. “The excavation for the Bayless-Davis building has been going on for several days. Material for the foundation was put on the grounds Monday and the foundations are well under way. The work will be pushed as fast as possible.”[iii]
By July, W.E. Austin, proprietor of the Claremore Garage, had moved his business into this space.[iv] The following winter of 1914, the offices of the Inola Oil Field shared the Bayless-Davis building moving in next to the Claremore Garage.[v]
The business plan of the three-spaced building was reorganized in April 1914 as the Claremore Garage was enlarged. “The management of the Claremore Garage have enlarged their place of business” wrote The Claremore Progress, “by moving into the room formerly occupied by the 96 Ballard and Inola Pipe Line Co., both of which have in turn moved into the corner room of the same building.The partition has been removed from between the Claremore Garage and the room formerly occupied by the oil companies so that the Claremore Garage now has comfortable and roomy quarters”[vi] taking up two-thirds of the triple business space.
This strategic move occurred just before the Claremore Garage business changed ownership. “A deal was consummated Monday, whereby Wm. Mull & Sons purchased from Austin & Son the Claremore Garage, the consideration being in the neighborhood of $10,000. Wm. and Jake Mull, the sons, will conduct the business until after harvest time when the father will assume the duties of president of the concern. Mr. Mull has sold his farm containing 280 acres, five miles northwest of Inola, for $10,500, taking as part payment a $3,000 residence property at the end of Third street in Claremore. Mr. Mull unloaded $3,000 worth of automobiles here last Friday and has several car loads on the road. Saturday, he sold three Ford cars, one to Bert Draper of Inola, one to H. Tom Brown and one to Mr. Blackwell, both of Claremore, and expects to send one to a purchaser in Catoosa soon. Mr. Mull says that he thinks the new firm can conduct the business in a profitable manner and reduce cost of automobile repairing about 20 per cent, which will be good news to those owning cars. The Mulls are experts in the automobile business, William having been foreman of the garage for some time and the other partners having had a wide experience with automobiles. We wish the new firm continued success.”[vii]
Six months later, Mull & Son “hit the brakes” on their auto garage business. The Claremore Messenger made it known, “Ed Gregg has started up business in the Claremore Garage building, formerly managed by Mull & Son. Mr. Gregg has leased the building and purchased the tools of the Nichols garage and machine shop, and will put in competent workmen, including Al Holder, for repair work. The garage business here should be good if handled right as there is much business in this line besides the sale of new cars.”[viii]
Apparently, the Mull men found their garage “un-a-Ford-able” as the business veered off the road into financial trouble. The Claremore Messengerwas obligated to report, “Notice is Hereby Given that on the 2nd day of December, A.D., 1914, the said Abram B. Mull, Jacob A. Mull, William Mull, and Claremore Garage were duly adjudicated bankrupt.”[ix]
May 1915, The Inola Pipe Line Company’s office moved out of the Bayless-Davis building.[x] That summer, the Claremore Garage did the same when its new home, opposite the Lyric Theatre further west on Third Street, was ready for occupancy.[xi]
By June 1916, Block 105, Lot 13 located on the immediate northeast corner of Will Rogers Boulevard and North Cherokee Avenue housed a new resident, a “Picture Theatre.” The Electric Movie Theatre moved from its original location in the Gorey building (404 W. Will Rogers Blvd.) to the “building formerly occupied by the Inola Pipe Line Co.” The building was “remodeled into a cozy little theatre and” opened “for business the 1st of June,” 1915.[xii] The “Picture Machine” projection bump-out room at the rear of the building was a small square iron-clad addition. The Electric Theatre lasted at this location until the spring of 1918 when this theatre disappeared from Claremore’s movie theatre scene.[xiii]
The Modern Auto Company had moved to the first door east of the Electric Theatre by January 1916.[xiv] The Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps, Claremore, concur. The double Lots 11 and 12 to the east of the theatre continued to house a “Garage” with the space available to hold 32 cars. Its amenities included gas heat and electric lights. A wooden partition running through the middle of the rooms, north to south, separated the sales room to the west (Lot 12) from the repair shop and storage space to the east (Lot 11).[xv]
The Claremore Progress shared, “Modern Auto Co. One important factor in the business life of Claremore that is favorably advertising the city over this section of the state is the up to the minute garage of the Modern Auto Company, located at Third street and Cherokee. This is true principally because of the high degree of service they render to motorists. At this Garage you will always find a full line of auto accessories and parts. An up to date repair shop is maintained which is fully equipped to make speedy repairs and to do Oxy-Actyalene welding. In fact, they can make any repairs a motorist might need in a short time. ‘Knowing how’ is a characteristic of the Modern Auto Co., and if you head for their Garage your trouble will be of short duration. The Modern Auto Co. is under the management of Beard & Clark, who rank among the leading garage men of this section.”[xvi]
June 1916, W.A. Briscoe “purchased a half-interest in the business of the Modern Auto Company, located first door east of the Electric Theatre, which has been conducted for many months by W.E. Beard. Since taking charge of this business Mr. Beard has, by courteous treatment and fair dealing, built up a business of which he should be proud.”[xvii]
The following month it was revealed, “W.E. Beard, of the Modern Auto Co., who has been suffering from an attack of appendicitis is again able to be about. He is going to the hospital this week to have his appendix removed.”[xviii]
That fall, another auto business partnership had formed. “J. Utterback, of Oklahoma City, and Frank Wilson, of Hinton, have formed a partnership and will handle Fords in this city… For the time being they will store their shipments of cars at the Modern Auto Co… It is their intention of buying the Modern Auto Co., if possible, and establishing a Ford Service Station… In the meantime, the repair work will be done by the Modern Auto Co., under the management of W.A. Briscoe.”[xix]
The 320 building is in the one-story cluster of buildings on the right side of the street, to the left of the auto. Photo Source: “Claremore, Oklahoma, The Home of Radium Water. Health – Man’s Greatest Asset. 1920-1921.” p. 19. Photo Courtesy The Rogers County Historical Society, Belvidere Mansion Archives. Used with permission.
By February 1922, J. Leon Brogan’s Brogan Motor Company, located on the corner of Third and Cherokee, was the Authorized Ford and Fordson dealer in Claremore.[xx][xxi]
Business was going well, in August of 1922, so Brogan made plans to enlarge the parts room. “The Brogan Motor Company is enlarging the parts room to give space for a larger stock of parts. Part of the display room is being converted into a parts room. For some time, the rapidly growing business of this concern has made itself felt in lack of suitable room to carry sufficient stock to care for the local demand. J. Leon Brogan is a live wire in the automobile world and he is backed up ably by an excellent corps of mechanics in the repair department and a competent office force. The Brogan Motor Company is one of the good business firms of the town.”[xxii]
Brogan “rearranged the interior of the Ford Service Station, making new office rooms for his men, (converting) the old office into a parts room. The stock was getting so large that it was not convenient the old way. He also placed a cement floor in the entire building and will soon have a fine place for his customers to call. Ceiling fans will be put in to make the new office quarters cool. Mr. Brogan is full of pep and the sales department reports daily sales of machines and tractors and their equipment. Energy is what counts and this man Brogan has an abundance of it.”[xxiii]
Again in January 1923, Brogan’s building remodel continued. “In order to make room for the demands of his rapidly increasing business, J. Leon Brogan of Brogan Motor Company is having the building in which his business is housed remodeled. Partitions have been torn out and the back end of the building is now one large room which gives greater space for the workshop and for storing cars. Mr. Brogan is a live wire in the automobile world and his chief difficulty is keeping enough Fords on hand to satisfy the local demand.”[xxiv] The building was enlarged and extended to the alley,[xxv] and J.F. Dollard was hired to install ceiling fans “for the comfort of the employees and the public.”[xxvi]
Two large Ford signs were erected on the roof of the Brogan Motor Company building in November 1923. These could be seen for blocks. Plans were made to add signs out on the road as well.[xxvii]
A large clock sign was installed “on top of the Brogan Motor Co.,” December 1923. “It is 16 x 16 feet in size and can be seen for blocks. This will serve as the town clock and will keep the correct time night and day. At night it will be illuminated. Mr. Brogan erected this ad at considerable expense.”[xxviii]
Unfortunately, the following April, a turbulent wind storm “came out of a black cloud and blew from the southwest. It also hailed here at 3 o’clock Saturday morning. The wind is believed to have been the back whip of the tornado which struck Shawnee Friday afternoon about 4 o’clock, killing eight people, wounding others and causing a heavy property loss. The city light system had seven or eight poles down Friday morning and the telephone company reported 40 phones out of order as a result of the wind. The large clock sign on the Brogan Motor Co., was blown down falling flat on the roof; a number of plate glass windows were broken out. Luckily there was no loss of life. The wind began to blow at 10 o’clock Friday night and gradually died away at 4 o’clock Saturday morning.”[xxix]
The Ford station was remodeled once again in December 1924, “The Brogan Motor Company, authorized Ford dealers are completely remodeling their show room. The business of this popular firm has grown by leaps and bounds, and the old show room was inadequate to accommodate the increase. When finished the new room will accommodate 21 cars. Steel bins will be used for all parts. The South door will be removed and plate glass put in. This will be one of the finest show rooms in the state when finished.”[xxx]
When it was time to procure auto licenses in January 1925, Claremore residents did not need to send their application to Oklahoma City. The Auto License Bureau came to Claremore. The Claremore Progress announced, “an agency has been established here and the license tags have already been procured. F.R. Ellis has equipped himself with all of the necessary supplies to provide Claremore and vicinity with new tags. All one has to do is to pay the tax and a small fee and the new tag can be had right now. At the present time Mr. Ellis is making his headquarters at the office of County Assessor Arthur Settle but just as soon as the remodeling work is done at the Brogan Motor Company, he will move the agency to that place. License tags for all makes of automobiles can be secured from Mr. Ellis. The new tags are due now and will become delinquent March 31st.”[xxxi] This convenience was offered at Brogan Motor Company the following year as well.[xxxii]
Brogan tried all kinds of gimmicks to encourage the Claremore community to come to his showroom and to buy his Fords. One promotion reported in the Claremore Progress explained, “They’re Off in the Ford Race. The Brogan Motor Company has a very unique sign which is attracting universal interest in Claremore. It is a large race course, a straight away, 10 feet long and 3 feet wide, placed in the west front window of the garage. On the course are shown five miniature Ford touring cars, four of them bearing the name of a salesman and the fifth being the ‘office’ car. As the daily sales of Ford cars are made the miniature automobiles are advanced on the track in a race that began February 1st, 1925, and is to last for four months, at which time the salesman with the winning car will be awarded a cash premium by the management of the Brogan Motor Company… The race course is so diagramed that the public can keep track of the race day by day. At the top of the race course is a sign reading ‘Play your favorite salesman. Four months’ contest.’ And the contest promises to grow hot. The plan of advertising, which is also an incentive to greater effort on the part of the salesmen, was devised by Mr. Brogan.”[xxxiii] Unfortunately, the name of the winning salesman that May could not be discovered.
1925 was the year Floyd Board “became Claremore’s Local Atwater Kent Radio Agent working out of the Brogan Motor building.” The Radio was “Fully Equipped; Ready for action. You can own a radio. Let us tell you how.” [xxxiv] Next, Earl Fry and J. Leon Brogan took on the Atwater Kent radio agency for Rogers County and “installed a number of the machines about the city for demonstration purposes.”[xxxv] That holiday season it was advertised, “Say Christmas with an Atwater-Kent Radio. LEA Radio Company with Brogan Motor Co. ‘We Demonstrate.’”[xxxvi]
As another strategy to bring the agricultural population into his dealership, “The Brogan Motor Co., Ford dealer, was host,” in April 1925, “to one hundred and seventy-seven of the residents of the rural district about Claremore. It was ‘Farmers’ Day‘ with J. Leon Brogan as host, and as usual Mr. Brogan did the thing up to a nice tidy brown. A delightful program of interest to the farmers and their families had been arranged for the day with the showing of motion pictures, music by Erle Fry’s cadet orchestra and a big free dinner served by the ladies of the Christian church at the noon hour.”[xxxvii]
The December 1925, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma. Sheet 3, described the corner triplet building as a one-story brick building with a concrete floor. The interior held a three-lot combined Garage. Capacity 32 Cars. There were gas heat and electric lights. A dotted line denoted an interior partition between lots 12 & 13 separating the west corner store space of the building from the two open to the east.[xxxviii]
After the festivities of the holiday season had run their course, Brogan began another advertising campaign to invite the Rogers County public to visit his auto showroom. In January 1926, Brogan asked his community, “Who is Best Fiddler in Rogers County? Well, we are going to find out. The Brogan Motor Company is going to stage a county wide fiddling and dancing contest in their salesrooms. It will be in conjunction of the National Ford Auto Show week, January 9th to 16th, at which time every car in the line will be exhibited. The big dancing and fiddling contest will take place Saturday night, January 16th. It is to be county wide and no one is barred. Everybody is invited to participate. The fiddlers of the county are asked to register at once with the management of the Brogan Motor Company. To the winner of the fiddler’s contest, a beautifully engraved loving cup will be given, while a suitable reward will be given the best dancing couple. The cooperation of everybody is solicited in making this a real event in Claremore. There will be a specially built platform for the fiddlers and the spacious room of the salesroom gives ample opportunity for dancing.”[xxxix]
The anticipation intensified with each passing day as fiddlers and dance contestants registered hoping to win. Who would be the victors of the fiddle and dancing contests, the community wondered?
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
“320 0n Main – From Rustic Auto Mechanics’ Garage to Elegant Events’ Venue, Part 2.”
Sources:
[i] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 5, 1912. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[ii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 25, 1913. P. 1. Newspaper.com.
[iii] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 9, 1913. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[iv] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, July 25, 1913. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[v] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, Jan 2, 1914. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[vi] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 24, 1914. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[vii] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 15, 1914. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[viii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, November 13, 1914. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[ix] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, December 18, 1914. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[x] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 6, 1915. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xi] The Claremore Progress and Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday August 19, 1915. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xii] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, May 28, 1915. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xiii] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma), Friday, May 24, 1918. P. 8. Newspapers.com.
[xiv] The Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 8, 1916. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
Click here to read, “Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 1.”
“Third Street, looking West, Claremore, Okla.,” W. Will Rogers Boulevard at Cherokee Avenue. Left side: O’Brien-Bridwell-Ann’s Building, Theeson Bakery, Rexall Drugs, Campbell Building. Right side: Columbia-Hass’s Store Building, Gorey Building – Electric Theatre, Loomis Building, Burns Building, Chambers Building, Eaton Building-Wilson Hardware, Windsor Opera House – towered building.
Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 2
Change was in the wind for the O’Brien building in the new decade of the “Roaring Twenties”. Purchased in 1912,[i] J.M. and Ida Bridwell actually owned the O’Brien building; the structure would, after 1921, be referred to as the Bridwell building in the local news.
John Blair’s popular photography studio, “The Studio That Makes Claremore Famous,”[ii] “leased the Bridwell building just east of the Haggard Bakery (formerlyTheeson’sbuilding), and moved to the new location in March 1921.[iii] Located on the “ground floor” with “no stairs to climb.” Blair’s was “prepared to make any kind of a portrait from postcards to oil paintings. They also (carried) a large assortment of moldings and (could give) framing orders prompt attention. Take them your Kodak work,” advertisements urged.[iv]
By 1925, the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps specified a “Garage, Capacity 15 Cars, Wood Floor, Lights: Electric, Heat: Stove” filled both of the first floor rooms of the Bridwell building. The map also portrays the extension-addition of a “Repair Shop” to the south. [v]
The Claremore Progress published, in August of 1923, “Announcing the Opening of the New Home of the Chevrolet. The firm of Parrott-Chevrolet Company recently purchased the franchise to sell the Chevrolet car from the Neal Motor Company, and have opened a sales and service department at the corner of Third and Cherokee streets, and will soon have a modern repair shop equipped with special machinery to service all models of the Chevrolet car.”[vi]
The Claremore Messenger further explained, “Extensive improvements and the enlargement of the Bridwell block on West Third street and occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Co., has been announced to start promptly… The addition to the building will be in the form of a 30-foot extension to the alley, while a frontage will also be had on Cherokee street, which will provide a repair room and service station for the Parrott Chevrolet company. The original building will be used by the Parrott company for a display and parts room. The interior decorations will be elaborate making it a show room of the highest type. T.E. Parrott and B.E. Moody, comprising the Parrott Chevrolet company, just recently secured the franchise for the territory for the Chevrolet cars, and come to Claremore from Tulsa where they have lived for a number of years. Mr. Parrott is an automobile mechanic of considerable experience and will have charge of the repair department, while Mr. Moody will have charge of the sales department.”[vii] Nearly 100 years later, this extension is the portion of the Bridwell building that was recently blown apart by Claremore’s unforgettable wind storm of June 2023.
By mid-September 1923, the “work of enlarging the Bridwell building” was “under way, the brick work having been started Thursday. Improvements will consist of the extension of the present building to the alley, with an ‘L’ addition extending to Cherokee avenue, thereby providing an opening on both Third and Cherokee. The building is occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet company, and when completed will furnish a show room, parts and accessory room and a repair department.”[viii]
To add character to their business, a huge electric advertising sign was also installed. “The Parrott Chevrolet company is installing an electric sign on the front of their show room measuring three by seven and one-half feet. 18 – 50 watt bulbs will be required to properly illuminate the huge sign when once installed. The sign is said to be one of the largest in Claremore, and denotes the progressiveness of the Parrott company.”[ix] With the need for additional space, Parrott Chevrolet eventually moved out of the Bridwell building, but the building did not remain empty.
“The Talley Hardware, E.L. Talley and son, proprietors,” was “located on the corner of Third and Cherokee,” on October 22, 1923, celebrating its first anniversary there in 1924.[x] This long-time Claremore business remained in the Bridwell building until it moved to its new location in April 1926.[xi]
Then, The Oaks Café, formerly located at the rear of the Sequoyah hotel (southwest corner of W. Will Rogers Boulevard and S. Missouri), moved to the room at the corner of Third and Cherokee, vacated by E.L. Talley and son. “The café… will be open night and day, and will serve regular meals and short orders.”[xii]
Will Rogers Boulevard looking west at Cherokee Avenue. Postcard: message on the back, “The Piggly Wiggly store in the picture is where we got our groceries tonight… Ken.” Postmarked Feb. 1941. O’Brien-Bridwell Building, first building on the left. “Rexall Drugs, Piggy Wiggly, Bakery, Hospital.”
December 1926, the happy news was broadcast that a new Piggly Wiggly grocery would move into “the building formerly occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Co.”[xiii]
The Piggly Wiggly opened with the advertisement, “Claremore’s newest grocery store, The Piggly Wiggly, will open for business Saturday, January 15 (1927), according to F.D. Wilson, manager of the local store. The store will be located in the building formerly occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Motor Company. The room has been thoroughly renovated and remodeled, and will make a handsome home of the Piggly Wiggly Company. This is the 2,254th store of the Piggly Wiggly chain, which reaches all over the United States, in over six hundred towns and cities. The company opened 750 new stores in 30 months, averaging 25 stores a month, or one for each business day during the time named. F.D. Wilson is manager of the local store and J.D. Phillips is stock keeper. Both are pleasant men to meet and are welcomed into the city.”[xiv]
That September, the Piggly Wiggly grocery found a new owner as it notified the public. “The Claremore Piggly Wiggly store, which has been operated by F.D. Wilson since the first of the year, has changed hands. The store has been bought by (H.M. Griner, Mgr.), of Nowata, who will take charge September 5th… The business is housed in comfortable quarters, first door east of Fulghum’s Bakers”[xv] (formerly Theeson’s building).
Meanwhile, a widespread dramatic change was about to occur across the United States. By 1929, The Great Depression in the US had set in and people were on the move from state to state trying to find employment to rebuild their lives after the Stock Market crashed, and as one bank after another failed.
Which way was the wind blowing on the second floor of the Bridwell building in the ‘30s? For the next five years, a succession of quick remodels by new and transient business owners blew across the second floor of the Bridwell building’s hotel space. In September 1930, the Lahoma Hotel advertised, “furnished and unfurnished housekeeping apartments, also sleeping rooms,” for rent on the floors above the Piggly Wiggly.[xvi]
By November, the name of the hotel had changed. “Modern Rooms. Clean and Quite. Good Meals and Short Orders. Special Rates By Week. 401 or 401 ½ West Third St. Oaks Café – Hotel Marvin.”[xvii]
“The Hotel Marvin” with Mr. and Mrs. James W. Marvin of Tulsa in charge, was “completely refitted and will be properly conducted. They have clean and quiet rooms either with or without meals and will make an attractive rate to regular customers. Located at 401 1-2 West Third street.”[xviii] Advertisements promised the hotel would be “one of the most quiet, respectable lodging houses in the city. No musical instruments, boisterous noise or improper conduct will be permitted. Those seeking a quiet place to stay are cordially invited.”[xix]
But by January 1931, the Marvin Hotel was, again, “For Sale – 22 room rooming house all furnished, reason for selling, ill health.”[xx] Of course, it was not the building itself that was sold, just the lease of the space and the hotel furnishings.
Next, Mr. and Mrs. J.N. Steele, of Boynton, Okla… purchased the Marvin Hotel, at Third and Cherokee. “They have thoroughly renovated and redecorated the rooms and are now prepared to care for all who desire rooms by the day, week or month. They also have some nicely furnished rooms for light housekeeping at reasonable rates. They are very pleasant people and are welcome to Claremore.”[xxi]
The interior of the hotel was not all that was changed by J.N. Steele. He renamed “his place of business at 401 1-2 West Third street the Hotel Frisco. Mr. Steele worked on the Frisco railroad for more than 40 years,
The interior of the hotel was not all that was changed by J.N. Steele. He renamed “his place of business at 401 1-2 West Third street the Hotel Frisco. Mr. Steele worked on the Frisco railroad for more than 40 years,” informed the Claremore Progress, “and feels that he is yet a part of that great big Frisco family. He was retired by the Frisco January 31, last, having reached the age limit and is now a citizen of Claremore. He purchased the Marvin Rooms and has redecorated same and is now ready to serve the public.”[xxii]
The Steeles did not stay long. They left Claremore after disposing of “the Hotel Frisco to Mrs. Clara Keyes” in July.[xxiii] During Mrs. Keyes’ tenure, the hotel’s name was changed to Hotel 66. [xxiv]
Tom Carroll became proprietor of Hotel 66 that September but sold out in February 1932.[xxv] “For Sale or Trade – All furniture in Hotel 66 for good as new Ford or Chevrolet auto. Quick, got job in Ohio. Phone 754, Hotel 66.”[xxvi] Carroll also impatiently advertised, “Everything in Hotel 66, $300.00. Cash. Quick.”[xxvii] This was when Mrs. Cannon and son Paul moved in to operate Hotel 66 by July 1932.[xxviii] Those keeping score will notice that there were at least eight different proprietors spanning these three years.
Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Murray “rented Hotel 66, over the Boyd & Stanfill Grocery,” in July 1936. They would name their business Elmo’s Hotel & Apartments, conducting the establishment “in a clean, orderly manner. Mrs. Murray is a painstaking housekeeper and intends to keep her place of business the same as she would her home. An invitation is extended the public to pay the place a visit. Reasonable rates will prevail.”[xxix]
Below stairs, when the ground floor store room of the Bridwell building became available in March 1932, Sam H. Bayouth, of Collinsville “rented the vacant store and opened “a retail establishment handling a complete line of ladies ready to wear clothing and men’s furnishings.”[xxx] Three months later, the Claremore Mercantile Company, Bayouth’s store, moved “from the Bridwell building… to the Hill building near the Frisco depot.” The Bridwell building did not remain vacant for long. Next, Boyd & Stanfill, of Nowata, moved their grocery store, “said to be one of the best concerns of its kind in Nowata,” to Claremore.[xxxi]
Two months later, Boyd & Stanfill were victims of a “Flood in Dry Weather,” as the Progress shared, “Broken Pipe Fills Store With Several Inches of Water; Damage More Than $50.00. The Boyd & Stanfill Grocery and Market was a victim of rather a strange accident Sunday night – a flood in dry weather. And as floods usually do, damage was caused, the extent being around $50 cash, with no insurance to cover the loss. Here’s how it was. A water pipe in the back of the store leading to the lavatory broke some time Sunday afternoon at a time when no one was in the store. A large stream of water continued to pour out onto the concrete floor until J.A. Boyd, proprietor, came down to work Monday morning. He was greeted by the flood when he opened the door. The water was several inches deep on the floor and had damaged flour, sugar, and other perishables. ‘The first thing I noticed,’ said Mr. Boyd, ‘was water coming from beneath the front door as I came to open the store. I looked in and at first could not imagine what was the matter. A sheet of water some five inches deep covered the floor all over. It was also running from beneath the front door and was trickling on down the sidewalk for at least a block to the west. I waded in and investigated, soon locating the broken pipe in the lavatory. Then the fun started. Everything had to be cleaned after the leak had stopped. We were the busiest we have been in weeks and not waiting on customers either. It would have taken hip boots to safely shop with us while the flood was on.’ Mrs. Boyd told a Progress reporter that she and her husband usually visited the store on Sunday afternoons but as luck would have it this time they did not. That gave the flood a good start. People further west on Third street, in the flood district, are used to this sort of an experience. But it is something new to Mr. Boyd, who came to Claremore some time ago from Nowata, and has never experienced any such thing before. His store here is located at the corner of Third and Cherokee, in the Bridwell building.”[xxxii]
Trouble continued to foment for Boyd & Stanfill in the summer heat of July 1934. “Four Participate In Street Battle, Personal Melee Finally Involves Four; Must Appear In Municipal Court Monday A.M. – W.A. Boyd, and son, of Boyd & Stanfill Grocery and Market, and Vic W. Saunders, post commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Sam Ryan were arrested Saturday morning after a fight which began in Boyd & Stanfill store and ended on the street outside. Boyd and Saunders were the first principals, starting the battle over a personal matter. When Boyd was apparently getting the best of it, Ryan took a hand, and Boyd’s son then entered the battle to even matters up. All made bond and were ordered to appear in municipal court Monday morning.”[xxxiii]
By February 1935, Chalk’s Market, located in Stanfill’s Grocery, had “taken over the Market formerly owned by Boyd & Stanfill,” soliciting “the patronage of the many friends… made while working for Boyd & Stanfill.”[xxxiv] In 1936, Richard Le Gate, of Bristow, “purchased the meat market in Stanfill’s grocery from J. Chalk, and assumed management… He is a graduate of OMA (Oklahoma Military Academy, Claremore) and will be remembered by many Claremore friends who wish him well in his new enterprise.”[xxxv]
The second floor of the Bridwell structure changed markedly, in July 1935, when a new hospital was located in Claremore with the announcement, “Dr. R.C. Meloy Will Open Modern Institution Downtown About July 15 – Claremore is soon to have a new hospital. Dr. R.C. Meloy has leased the second floor rooms in the Bridwell building, corner Third and Cherokee, and plans to open a modern, sanitary, ten-bed institution about July 15th. In an interview with a Progress reporter Tuesday afternoon, the veteran Claremore physician and surgeon made public his plans, which represent a considerable investment. The twenty-two rooms over the Stanfill and Piggly Wiggly groceries, are now being redecorated and prepared for occupancy. Old paint and paper is being scraped off before a new coat is applied and when completed, they will be absolutely sanitary in every respect. A large, modern surgery will be installed in the northeast corner of the building, which is well lighted with large, double windows on the north and one on the south. It will be equipped with the latest type tables and instruments, sterilizers and other necessities. Modern x-ray, dressing, and sterilizing rooms will also be located on the west side of the building. Two rooms for patients in the front of the building will separate the surgery from Dr. R.C. Meloy’s suite of offices, five rooms which will be operated separate and apart from the hospital. Private rooms and wards will be located on the east side of the building, with a modern and complete diet kitchen in the rear. Equipment for the new hospital has been ordered and should arrive the latter part of this week. It will be installed as quickly as rooms are completely renovated. The new hospital will be for general practice and all competent and qualified physicians and surgeons will be invited to make use of it. Dr. Meloy has practiced in Claremore for the past thirteen years. Previous to that time, he was located at Foyil. For the past few years he has been on the staff at the U.S. Indian hospital, west of this city, where he has done considerable surgeries.”[xxxvi]
By June 1937, another ground floor store remodeling effort of the building was underway. “The store room occupied by the Hawks Ice Cream company, in the Bridwell building, has been closed for re-modeling and repairs this week. A new concrete floor will be installed and other improvements made. Two crews are working day and night in order to complete the job in time for the opening of the place to the public Saturday. The extensive repairs and remodeling work is being done by Mrs. Ida Bridwell, who owns the building.”[xxxvii] Alvin Sellers was brought into the business, in 1938, to “assumed management of the Hawks Ice Cream Parlor… following the resignation of Bain Snelson.”[xxxviii]
The Black & White Store also moved into 401 W. 3rd Street in 1937, carrying “a full line of feeds,” advertising, “See our prices before buying.”[xxxix]
The next big transition for the first floor of the Bridwell building occurred in August 1939 when the Claremore Progress announced, “Bridwell Building Being Redecorated – Workmen are busy at the present redecorating the corner room of the Bridwell building… The inside walls and ceiling have been painted. The front of the building is now receiving a coat of cream paint. The Western Auto Supply company will occupy the room and will open September 1st.”[xl]
The Progress explained further, “New Store Will Open This Week – Western Auto Associate Store To Occupy Quarters In Bridwell Building. One of the outstanding events in Claremore business circles this week will be the opening of the new Western Auto Association Store, owned and operated by Albert L. Cloniger, 401 West Third street, first door east of the Piggly Wiggly store. Most car owners in this vicinity are familiar with the Western Auto Supply Co., of Kansas City, Mo. This is the firm that used to send out so many of the little catalogues known as the ‘Auto Owners’ Supply Book,’ offering attractive prices on practically everything needed for an automobile. It is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in the world. Founded in 1909, it is operating more than 200 stores all over the United States, which were formerly the exclusive outlets for many of its well-known brands of merchandise.”[xli]
The Western Auto Associate Store was “Home Owned. Home Operated by Albert L. Cloninger.”[xlii]
In the summer of 1940, workmen were “busy re-modeling the front of the Bridwell building, which house(d) the Hawk’s Ice Cream parlor. The entrance to the rooms above (were) also being remodeled. This will greatly improve the appearance of this block on Main street.”[xliii] “Hawk’s Ice Cream will have the most attractive front on Main street when completed. It is being done in light colored plate glass. In fact many store fronts on ‘the main drag’ have been greatly improved in recent months.”[xliv] Hawks Ice Cream Co. was known to “serve big thick malted milks for 12 cents, the best coffee in town, also chili, sandwiches, ice cream, candy, and magazines.” “Try our big ice cream cone,” advertisements read. “Come in. We want to meet you. Claremore, Oklahoma.”[xlv]
In June 1946 ”The building occupied by the Talley Hardware and Hawk’s Ice Cream Parlor” was sold.[xlvi]
Laura Hawks ran the Claremore Hotel over the Western Auto Store in 1955,[xlvii] surviving at this location until at least 1973. The Western Auto Associates lasted at its 401 W. Will Rogers Boulevard store till at least 1964.[xlviii]
But times were changing. Ann’s Cleaners and Laundry leased the east side, ground floor room of the Bridwell building in the late 1978. Soon, the cleaning business grew so large more space was needed. Eventually, Ann purchased the entire building. Ann’s son, Tim Pate shared, the west side store space had been a gym filled with exercise equipment that had to be removed and roomers living upstairs needed to vacate their apartments. When Tim’s mother was ready to sell, Tim bought Ann’s cleaning business that eventually filled the entire first floor while the second floor space was left vacant.
Change appears to be the only constant moving Claremore’s iconic O’Brien-Bridwell building into its future. Long-time Claremore residents who have lived in Claremore since the 1950s still remember Dr. Meloy’s Claremore General Hospital (1935 to circa 1954); [xlix] Western Auto Association (1939 to circa 1964); [l][li] the Claremore Hotel (1955 till at least 1973), [lii] and Ann’s Cleaners & Laundry (circa 1978 – 2023).[liii]
Now, a new wave of renovation has begun on the O’Brien-Bridwell building as Vines Properties, Inc. and Piotter Construction pick up the pieces of the building that the stout winds and ravages of time have left behind. Winds of change blow through the expansive corridors of the building once again, promising change… for the better.
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Sources:
[i] Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, March 8, 1912. P. 8. Newspapers.com
[ii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 19, 1918. P. 12. Newspapers.com
[iii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 3, 1921. P. 8. Newspapers.com.
[iv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, April 21, 1921. P. 6. Newspapers.com
[v] Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma, December 1925, Sheet 3.
[vi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 9, 1923. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[vii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, August 23, 1923. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[viii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 13, 1923. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[ix] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 20, 1923. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[x] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, October 23, 1924. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xi] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday,April 29, 1926. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, May 13, 1926. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xiii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, December 9, 1926. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[xiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 13, 1927. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xv] he Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, September 1, 1927. P. 6. Newspapers.com.
[xvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, September 13, 1930. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, November 1, 1930. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xviii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, November 1, 1930. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xix] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday November 27, 1930. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xx] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, January 24, 1931. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, March 25, 1931. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xxii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday April 24, 1931. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xxiii] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, July 23, 1931. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxiv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, September 4, 1931. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xxv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Wednesday, September 16. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, February 12, 1932. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, February 19, P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xxviii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 12, 1932. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxix] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 2, 1935. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxx] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, March 12, 1932. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxi] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 23, 1932. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma).Monday August 22, 1932. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxiii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, July 14, 1934. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxiv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma).Thursday, February 14, 1935. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xxxv] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). SMonday, June 8, 1936. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xxxvi] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 2, 1935. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday June 15, 1937. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xxxviii] The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, April 2, 1938. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xxxix] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma).Saturday, February 20, 1937. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xl] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, August 15, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xli] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday September 14, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[xlii] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, October 19, 1939. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xliii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, July 2, 1940. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xliv] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, August 5, 1940. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
[xlv] Rogers county News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, November 5, 1942. P. 10. Newspapers.com.
[xlvi]The Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, June 6, 1946. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[xlvii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 15, 1955. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xlviii] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, February 25, 1964. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[xlix] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, September 11, 1933. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[l] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, August 15, 1939. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[li] The Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Tuesday, February 25, 1964. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[lii] The Claremore Daily Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Friday, April 15, 1955. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[liii] Western Auto Association (at least 1942 – 1963);
Dr. Meloy’s Claremore General Hospital [at least 1942 (C. Adair, Supt.) to 1954];
The Claremore Hotel [at least 1955, 1958 (Laura Hawks – owner), till at least 1973].
Sources:
1949 photos, Blair Photo Collection, Rogers County Historical Society Archives;
“Claremore – Historic Sites Survey – Indian Nations Council of Governments for the Oklahoma Historic Society.” 1985;
Claremore Oklahoma, City Directory, Johnson Publishing Co. 1963.
Telephone Directory, Claremore, Oklahoma. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, May 1942, May 1951, May 1954, May 1955, June 1958, February 1960, May 1970, May 1971, May 1972, May 1973.
“Final Survey Report Architectural/Historic Intensive Level Survey of the Claremore Downtown Historic District, Claremore, Oklahoma.” Prepared by Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, Susan Allen, Architectural Historian, Cynthia Smelker, Preservation Research Assistant, February 1996.
“Ann’s Cleaners Celebrates 40 years in Claremore,” Kristy Sturgill, Claremore Daily Progress. September 28, 2016.
W. Will Rogers Boulevard looking west at Cherokee Avenue before the O’Brien Building, before 1910. Source: Postcard Postmarked January 1911. C. Rice Collection.
A tempest heightened by a strong gust of wind and a tumbled-down brick wall on Father’s Day, June 2023, has radically changed the future of the O’Brien-Bridwell building, located on the southwest corner of Cherokee Avenue and W. Will Rogers Boulevard in Claremore, Oklahoma’s historic downtown business district. The result of this calamity was an unforeseen sale of the building and its current restoration by Vines Properties Inc. and Piotter Construction. In its 11-decades-old existence, if these walls could talk, this business structure would have countless colorful stories to tell.
As early as 1896, a large one-story framed building stood at the southwest corner of 3rd Street (aka Will Rogers Boulevard) and Cherokee Avenue, (Block 113, Lot 9 & 10). Visible in the iconic 1906 F.L. Stone panoramic photograph of downtown Claremore, this clapboard building according to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Claremore, Indian Territory, housed a Grocery (1898), Sample Room (1901), Furniture and Second-hand store (1903), and a Restaurant and Meat store (1907).[i] But soon after Oklahoma statehood a permanent brick building, the one that still stands today at 401 West Will Rogers Boulevard, was built.
In August 1910, the Claremore Messenger announced, E.W. O’Brien, of Oklahoma City, “purchased the fifty-foot lot of C.A. Warner, located on the corner of Third and Cherokee. He will move the frame buildings off and erect a nice modern two-story business block. The deal was negotiated through James Scott.”[ii]
“C.A. and Hattie M. Warner to E.W. O’Brien, lot 10 and 23 feet lot 9 blk. 113, Claremore, $7,250.”[iii]
That September, Mr. O’Brien, made “arrangements for the moving of the old buildings off the lot preparatory to building a brick business house.”[iv]
The Claremore Progress reported in October, “The brick buildings now under construction in the city are moving on nicely; the laying of brick has begun on the new O’Brien building while the brick work on the new Ward building (now Boarding House Books) is more than half completed.”[v]
The O’Brien Building stood squarely on its corner lot. Divided by a decoratively designed arched brick street side stairway entrance that led to the second floor; this building contained two expansive, narrow business rooms on the ground floor. Customers entered the stores through front entrances facing Third Street. The building had copper pipes and artistically designed ceilings made of pressed tin tiles. The detailed brick edifice boasted a fancy parapet across the roofline with large glass storefront windows on both first and second levels in front and along the Cherokee Avenue side. In an era when the use of electric lights was in its infancy, the natural light of the large windows was an asset to business owners.
It was not till January 1911, that R.S. Saunders was able to move his store into “the corner room of the new O’Brien building.”[vi] That month, Judge Archibald Bonds and J.I. Howard moved their new law partnership into a “handsome suite of rooms in the O’Brien building.”[vii]
The Rogers County News enthused, “Large O’Brien Block Fast Nearing Completion – At the corner of Third Street and Cherokee Avenue stands one of the most imposing and substantially built brick blocks in Claremore. It is the new O’Brien block, which occupies ground space of 50×100 feet, and stands two stories high. This pretty business block, when entirely completed, will cost the owner, E.W. O’Brien, very near $20,000. The plans were drawn so as to make this one of the best lighted business blocks in the city. The two lower apartments are very spacious and stylishly finished. R.S. Saunders’ store already occupies the east corner and the west corner will soon be ready to receive the goods of E.E. North’s New York Store. Mr. North is having some expensive furniture installed, preparing to make his new store one of the best of its class in Oklahoma.”[viii]
Later that month, E.E. North announced, “We Move Feby. 1 – Having contracted for the center store room in the O’Brien Block we will on Tuesday Jany 31st, close our present store to allow us time to move and get comfortably settled into our new home. This will probably require ten days. You can help us move by taking advantage of the following bargains: 30 per ct. off on Wall Paper, 1/3 off on English China. Reduction on fish and globes. We have a big stock of Valentines which we desire to dispose of before we move. N.Y. 5 and 10c Store.[ix]
“In Front of the Five and Ten Cent Store, Claremore, Okla.” Source: Postcard. C. Rice Collection.
E.E. North was elated with his store’s opening in its new location in the O’Brien block that February. “At the opening of the New York 5 and 10c store in the new O’Brien block… proprietor, E.E. North, looked more happy and pleased than even a boy with his first pair of suspenders or pair of long pants. Well so he may! For ten days, Mr. North and Miss North his able assistant, with a corps of lady clerks, have been busy as bees planning a big stock of pretty novelties and staple goods upon the… shelves and in the several handsome display cases. When the hundreds of visitors on Friday responded to the invitations to the opening they found… a world of pretty articles to look upon. Each visitor was presented a souvenir.”[x]
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1911, Sheet 4, verifies a “5 & 10c” store in the west half and a “Ladies Furnishings” store in the east store space of the O’Brien building. A small iron clad, detached “Cobbler” building was located in the backyard.
The county court had previously been held in the second floor of the G.W. Eaton Building (now Sailor Antiques on the northeast corner of W. Will Rogers Boulevard and Missouri Avenue) since the building’s creation for Wilson’s Hardware store in 1902. When judges T.L. Brown and H. Tom Kight announced they would designate the “O’Brien Building as the place in which they would hold the courts of the county, this brought out quite an argument in which G.W. Eaton and others seemed to be somewhat interested, and after much debate upon the matter Judge Kight agreed to hold court in the Eaton building for six days; that being the time limit of the old contract in which Mr. Eaton was to be notified in case the commissioners should see fit to terminate their contract with him.”[xi]
In February many county officers moved to “Transact Business in the New O’Brien Block.” The Rogers County News reported, “Last Saturday was moving day for many of the county officers having offices in the Eaton block, part of which has been used as a court house since 1902. The officers to take up new quarters were Sheriff Sanders and Judge Kight; they now are settled in pleasant rooms in the new O’Brien block. County Attorney Elliott had contracted for office rooms in the new block almost before its completion. One story is sent out for the reason of this move at this time as follows. The county’s lease of the second story of the Eaton block expired about the tenth of March this year, and to get possession of his building at that time, G.W. Eaton served the usual thirty-day notice to vacate. Mr. Eaton would, after that date, look to the officers individually for his rent money. The county judge and the sheriff thought it best to move into the O’Brien block while a few rooms were vacant. One of the heavy safes was also moved up into the new block.”[xii]
Conveniently, a number of attorneys moved their law offices into the O’Brien building. When attorneys Ezzard and Holtzendorff moved into their new offices in the O’Brien Building it was said they had “one of the best equipped law offices in this part of the state.”[xiii]
Later that year, Blackford & Braden set up offices in the O’Brien Building as did Edgar Anderson Attorney at Law.[xiv]
But change was in the winter air that cold, crisp February of 1912 when the announcement was made, “O’Brien Building Sold. W.L. Swager Tuesday sold the O’Brien building corner of Third and Cherokee to J.M. Bidwell, of Wagoner, the consideration being $18,000 cash. Mr. Bridwell is one of the wealthy men of Wagoner county and may decide to locate in Claremore permanently. He will be back in the city next week and may purchase a home at that time. We understand Mr. O’Brien will go to Mexico to make his future home.”[xv] But Bridwell did not move his family to Claremore just yet.
“E.W. O’Brien to Ida K. Bridwell, lot 10 and part lot 9 block 113 $18,000.”[xvi]
That year, John Quincy Adams “moved his law office from the Eaton building into the O’Brian building at the corner of Third and Cherokee. This is probably the best location for a law office in the city.”[xvii]
Tragically, a fire caught hold of the O’Brien building in October 1912. The Claremore Progress reported, “Fire broke out in the second story of the O’Brien building on Main street about 7:45 Wednesday evening. The fire department responded promptly and what would have proven a disastrous fire, but for prompt work, was prevented. The fire originated in the room occupied as an office by E.C. Alberty. All the furniture in the room destroyed, a hole burned in the ceiling overhead and in the floor of the second story. Mr. Alberty’s loss is probably $50.00 and repairs to the building will probably cost as much. R.S. Saunders probably was the heaviest sufferer; his loss resulting from water which was used in getting the flames under control.”[xviii] This was the second fire R.S. Saunders had suffered while in business in Claremore.
The April 29, 1907, downtown fire destroyed two buildings on the southwest end of Claremore. Saunders’ stock of merchandise was much “destroyed by getting crumpled up and dirty, etc. not necessarily injuring the goods in any way, but greatly reducing their selling value.”[xix]
After the fire, Mrs. N. Skinner opened her new studio and exchange “in rooms 10, 11 and 12 in the O’Brien building over the New York Store, (and) prepared to do all kinds of china painting,” advertising, “Your liberal patronage of this china class is solicited. Opening all day Friday and Saturday.”[xx]
When Judge Tom Kight and Richard H. Wills formed a law partnership in 1913, the new firm opened offices in the O’Brien building[xxi] as did loan officer “Lee Settle, Room 2, O’Brien Bldg.”[xxii]
J.G. Waldrop, Physician and Surgeon opened his practice in the “O’Brien Building, Rooms 12 – 16” in 1915. [xxiii]
January 1917, E.H. Sanders filed an application requesting a license to open a billiard and pool establishment known as the Liberty Billiard and Pool Hall in the O’Brien building. J.A. Bell filed for a license to operate a billiard parlor known as the Mission Billiard hall in the same.[xxiv]
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1916, Sheet 3, documents a “Billiards” hall in the west side and a “Gro(cery)” store in the east space of the O’Brien building.
As an act of patriotic duty during the first World War, 1918, “The Home Service Section of the Rogers County chapter of the Red Cross… opened headquarters in W.H. Bassman’s office in the O’Brien building.”[xxv] It was here that the Red Cross helped enlisted men understand their commitment and aided them on their way.
In January 1919, The Claremore Progress announced, “J.M. Bridwell, who has considerable property in Claremore, sold his farm in Wagoner county last Monday and we trust Mr. Bridwell will move to Claremore. The sale was made thru the Long Land Co. of this city.”[xxvi] By 1921, the O’Brien building would thereafter be referred to as the Bridwell building in the news.
When George H. Shafer purchased the American Café of S.P. Blakley located in the O’Brien building in 1920, he remodeled the space and changed the café’s name to The Sanitary Waffle House.[xxvii]The Claremore Progress declared, G.H. Shafer “has one of the nicest eating houses in the city and is a town booster. He is heartily in favor of anything that will make the burg grow.”[xxviii]
Then, Gust Leekos “purchased the Sanitary Waffle House from George Shafer and took charge.”[xxix] A newspaper advertisement stated, “Sanitary Waffle House Everything Good to Eat.”[xxx]
Shockingly, “The high wind and accompanying rain,” of July 1920, “blew two window lights out of the E.E. North sample room next door to the Sanitary Waffle House and also blew the top off of an automobile.”[xxxi] Luckily, this time, window lights were all that were blown about by a Claremore windstorm. Has history repeated itself? The fate of the O’Brien-Bridwell building was about to change.
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
Click here to read the all new, “Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change, Part 2.”
(The preceding story is an updated version of “Claremore’s O’Brien Building – A Squeaky Clean History,” posted in November 2022.)
Sources: Unless otherwise noted, newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.
[i] Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Jan 1894. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “S. Not Finished.”
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, June 1896. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “Vac. S.” with front porch.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Nov 1898. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “Gro.” with front porch.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, April 1901. Sheet 2. 1-story framed “Sample Rm.” with front porch.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, Sep 1903. Sheet 3. 1-story framed “Furne & 2d Hand S.” with front porch
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, IT, July 1907. Sheet 4. 1-story framed “Rest. Meat (IR. CL).” With no front porch.
Sanborn Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, June 1916. Sheet 3. 2-story, brick, iron clad 2nd west wall with breezeway. Central front stairway. Water, Billiards west. Gro. To the east. Auto & Vac iron cl. Additions to the rear. Bakery to the west.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, OK, Dec 1925 Sheet 3. 2-story brick “Garage, Capacity 15 Cars, Wood Floor. Lights: Electric. Heat: Stove. (west).” S (east). Rear Repair Shop (rear).
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, January 1933. Sheet 3. 2-story brick “Store. Rooming 2nd”.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Claremore, Oklahoma, January 1933. Sheet 3. 2-story brick “Store. Rooming 2nd”. Porch in front of 403, to the east side of 401.
“Children’s Movie Here Next Week – Claremore’s own ‘Gang Comedy’, starring more than 70 city juvenile characters, will be presented by Calvin Council, manager of the Griffith Theatres. The first showing of the all Claremore kiddy production will be presented at the Yale Theatre, Wednesday, January 31, and February 1, Council announced. The picture will also be presented on Friday and Saturday, February 2 and 3, at the Cadet Theatre. The picture was filmed here several weeks ago and just like a Hollywood thriller the plot revolves around the kidnapping of a little Claremore girl and the efforts of ‘Butch’ and his gang in rescuing the victim. But you will have to see the picture yourself to see how the gang rescues the victim and deals justly with the kidnappers. Those taking part in the film are: Barbara Jeanette Bond, Dolores Othel Graves, Donna Lee Hatch, Helen Marie Marlar, Shirley Brasiers, Ethel Lea Estes, Shirley Anne Hatch, Minnie Lee Lively, Claudine Wilma McLaughlin, Sue Peale, Geraldine Rayburn, Frances Ann Storm, Geraldine Washington, Jim Dean, Donald Ray Hedgpath, Lipe O’Dell, Jerry Snelling, Sammy Britton, Tommy Ellis, Max Hedgpath, Dean Loshbaugh, H. Clay Maxwell, Harold Parker, Loyd Dean Robertson, Allen Townsley, Allan Ann Estes, Darla Allene Graves, Marie Jean Kisner, Norma Jean Adams, Patricia Ann Chenoweth, Wilma Corrine Glover, Juanita Mae Howell, Donna Lantow, Betty Lee Nelson, Marlene Pappan, Sophia Lee Stevens, Joyce Ann Streeter, Philip Brasier, Tommy Dowell, Clarence Marshall, Curtis Lee Pappan, Donnie Bussey, Larry Catherwood, Robert Garrett, Eugene Kiser, Benny Murray, Larry Lee McKeel, Douglas Parker, Dewey Stone, Robert Charles Taylor, Harriett Eestes. Denyse Graves, Jewell Marvonne Marshall, Coral Sue Bennett, Mary Jeanne Davis, Jacquelin Helm, Shirley Hayes, Robert Lee Landrum, Alice Jane Nipper, Sharon Lou Patterson. Lana Streeter, Joyce Townsley, Billie Boyd, Gary Gates, Micheal Wayne Milner, Kenneth Stephenson, Doyle Bigelow, O.C. Dean Jr., Eric Roy Hurd, Sidney Lake, Jo Ed Martin, Claubert Nelson, Danny Ray Ramsey, John Stanberry.”[i]
[i] Rogers County News (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 25, 1945. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
“Joplin Hotel Damaged By Fire – Quick Work of Fire Department Saves Building – A fire starting from unknown sources Saturday afternoon about 1:30 o’clock did considerable damage to the Joplin Hotel located on the corner of Second and Cherokee.
“Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Herndon are proprietors of the hotel which is an old landmark in Claremore.
“The fire started on the second floor in the south end of the building and had gained much headway before the fire department arrived, however loss was kept very small by the efficient work of the city firemen.
“Damage to the building was estimated by Chief Haymes as being about seven hundred dollars.
“The building is owned by Dave Matthews who did not hold any insurance on it but the furniture owned by the Herndons was amply covered by insurance. Chief Haymes said Monday morning that the damage to the furniture would not amount to over eight hundred dollars.
“Being Saturday afternoon and considerably warmer than usual a large crowd gathered at the scene of the fire.
“If the wind had been blowing at any great extent, loss to the hotel and surrounding houses would have amounted to many thousands of dollars.”[i]
[i] The Claremore Messenger (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, January 30, 1930. P. 1. Newspapers.com.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, January 1894. Source: Tulsa City-County Library. Wichita Avenue (JM Davis Boulevard), Catalayah Avenue (Lynn Riggs Boulevard), Missouri Avenue. First Street, 2nd Street (Patti Page Boulevard), 3rd Street (Will Rogers Boulevard), 4th Street. The DeVann was, most likely, the 3-story “hotel” on Lot 6, Block 61.
Not many people remember that Clem Rogers owned a hotel in Claremore once upon a time. “There is a hotel in Claremore bearing the name Will Rogers,” The Claremore Progress affirms in September 1931, “but few people know that way back in 1895 Clem Rogers, father of Will, owned a hotel of his own. This hotel, a wooden structure, was located on what is now known as Highway 66 on a site now occupied by J.W. Hammett’s tin shop. The name of the hotel was the Hotel DeVann, and it was operated by Mr. Rogers’ daughter (Mae Mary Rogers Yocum Stine).[i]
“… The Hotel DeVann at a liberal estimate, cost $50,000 to construct… In 1895, board could be obtained for as low as $6 per month. There is a record of a man and his wife who boarded there for some time for the sum of $12 per month…The hotel was named after Mr. Rogers himself, whose name was Clem Vann Rogers.”[ii]
The January 1894, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Indian Territory, Sheet 1, shows a three-story framed “hotel” with one-story front porch, on the east side of Wichita Avenue (aka J.M. Davis Blvd.) about half way between Second Street and Third Street (aka Will Rogers Boulevard). It is conjectured that this wooden structure was the Yocums’ Hotel DeVann. This building disappears from the June 1896, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Indian Territory, Sheet 1, but is replaced by a “tin shop” as early as the November 1898, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Claremore, Oklahoma, Sheet 2.
The first known advertisement for the Hotel DeVann was found posted in the Claremore Progress, September 8, 1894. “The Hotel DeVann. J.M. Yocum, Proprietor. Near the Frisco Depot. Our table is supplied with all that the market affords. Free hack to and from all trains carrying passengers. McDaniel & Walkley. Livery Feed and Sale Stable in connection with the Hotel DeVann.”[iii]
McDaniel & Walkley ran a horse-drawn cab service “to carry passengers to and from the train for the Hotel DeVann.” Fred Kay, manager of the Cary House, at Nowata, became clerk of the DeVann in November 1894.[iv]
That December, “Considerable emotion was created at J. Bean Burgess’ boarding house… by the appearance of six masked men outside about half past ten o’clock. It (was) supposed that they came after A.J. Blackwell who was under guard there. Whether their intentions were serious or only a bluff can only be conjectured. Blackwell was moved to the Hotel DeVann.”[v]
A.L. Kates, publisher of The Claremore Progress, remembers in an article titled “Hotels of Claremore As I have Known Them,” “When we started living at the McDaniel House (arrived Claremore, June 1893), a new three-story hotel was being built to be known as the Hotel DeVann, and we were given the first room finished in it.”[vi]
Banker Charley Godbey also reminisced about the adventure he and his wife had upon their arrival in Claremore, February 13, 1895. “Arriving at the station here, we were approached by W.R. Aven, who stated that he wanted the job of hauling the banker’s household goods. We informed him that we had no house as yet and would not take them out of the car until we could find a home. So he directed us to the Hotel DeVann, the leading hotel, which was just across the street from the Frisco depot, where the J.W. Hammett tin shop now stands. Arriving at the hotel we met Mr. and Mrs. Mat Yokum, Mrs. Yokum being a sister of Bill Rogers. Here we arranged for supper and a room for the night.”[vii] Claremore, he remembered was “very small, but (had) plenty of cowboys and out laws.”
“We secured board for a sum of $24.00 per month for both of us, very high board at that time, but we were putting up at the best hotel in town.”[viii]
That spring, J.M. Yocum had “his popular hotel, the DeVann, papered down stairs and in the halls, which adds greatly to its appearance.”
The perfect wedding venue, Judge Schrimsher married in January 1895, “at the Hotel DeVann Edgar Halfmoon and Miss Susie Smith.”[ix] Miss Armstrong, of Coody’s Bluff, arrived in Claremore in April “to attend the wedding of her sister at the Hotel DeVann.” “Ben Scovel, of Coffeyville, and Miss Lenora Armstrong, of Coody’s Bluff, were married at the Hotel DeVann …, Clerk LaHay officiating.”[x]
Also in April, The Claremore Progress advertised, “Drs. Davis and Mason, dentist and optical specialist, will be at the Hotel DeVann on next Friday, May 3rd. Dr. Davis, the dentist stands high in his profession and comes here with the best recommendations. He uses all the latest appliances and preparations for extracting and operating painless. He is not only skilled in extracting teeth, but is prepared to do the finest of work in all branches of his profession. Dr. Mason the optician, who accompanies him is a specialist in his line, and will afford our readers, who are troubled with their eyes, an opportunity to have them examined by one who has made it an especial study.”[xi] These were followed by a “Dentist in all its branches. W.B. Badby, D.M.D., at the Hotel DeVann.”[xii]
Mrs. A.B. Seymour, of Coffeyville, Kansas, came to Claremore in December 1895, to “the Hotel DeVann to take orders for dressmaking. All those who desire dresses made in the latest fashion would do well to call. She will cut and fit on those days.”[xiii]
William Gulager, of Tahlequah, and Col. George S. Thebo, of Paris, Texas, were registered as guests at the Hotel DeVann. [xiv] Newly married B.R. Bracefield and wife, from Tulsa, spent a few days at the Hotel DeVann using this hotel as their honeymoon retreat. [xv] Claremore’s premiere hotel was “becoming more popular than ever under the management of mine Host and Hostess, W.R. Gaddis and wife.”[xvi]
Quite sadly, The Claremore Progress announced, December 7, 1895, another worthy guest, “James Latta died yesterday afternoon at the Hotel DeVann at 3:20 after a long and serious illness. The deceased was aged 69 and had resided in the Cherokee nation for the past quarter of a century. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church and highly esteemed by all who knew him.”[xvii]
The ultimate community tragedy was to strike Claremore’s premiere hotel in January 1896 with the report called “Claremore’s First Big Blaze. The Popular Hostelry – The Hotel DeVann – No More. $10,000 Worth Property Destroyed. It Has Come at Last. Six Buildings Now in Ashes.
“A little before two o’clock Saturday morning last, a good portion of our population was aroused by the repeated firing of firearms (for fire alarm) in the business portion of our town. The lower end of town was all lit up and every business man started with the fear that it might be his place of business.
“When the Progress man arrived on the scene the fire was well under way. The three buildings west of the DeVann was all ablaze and the Hotel DeVann was well under way. Hundreds of willing workers were removing the goods from the Hotel DeVann, W.W. Chambers’ building and Davis Hill & Co’s. general merchandise store.
“A stand was taken to confine the fire to the Hotel DeVann and the five adjoining buildings, and by active work and a liberal supply of water, the effort was successful and the Davis Hill and Co’s. store building on the corner, the LaHay building, the barber shop, the butcher shop, the Trilby restaurant and the Hotel DeVann sample room were saved. Had the fire got hold of these buildings, Halsell’s big brick would have been in great peril, and a good part of the business portion of the town would undoubtedly been burned down. While the loss falls heavily on those burned out, the town can congratulate itself that it is no worse. The lack of wind helped the fire fighters there being hardly a breath of air stirring. The workers succeeded in getting out only a little over $300 worth of furniture from the Hotel DeVann…
“The losses as far as we can learn will foot up about $10,000 with only $2,500 insurance. They are made up as follows:
“W.R. Gaddis, furniture in Hotel DeVann, $3,500. Insurance $1,000. About $300 worth of furniture saved. (Note: hotel proprietors owned the business and furnishings only, not the building.)
“C.V. Rogers, Hotel DeVann, $3,500, insurance $1,500…
“Several of the boarders lost part of their clothes and little trinkets that they had in their rooms.
“Several of the boarders at the DeVann made their toilet out in the night air with all nature gazing upon them… Joe LaHay was the first one aroused in the DeVann and the whoops he let out soon awakened even the heaviest sleeper… Dr. Linn saved enough of his shoes from the wreck to supply all those who left the DeVann in such haste that they forgot theirs. Everybody was wearing them. The origin of the fire is a mystery…
“The burning of the Hotel DeVann is a severe loss to our town as well as Mr.& Mrs. W.R. Gaddis, under whose uniting management it had become recognized as one of the best kept hotels in the Territory. They had spared no money in furnishing it throughout in an elegant style, and the almost total loss of their goods, together with being thrown out of the business just at present is a severe loss to them that all regret. It is sincerely hoped that they will soon be established in a new brick hotel here, which our town is sadly in need of.”[xviii]
[ii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Monday, September 28, 1931 P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[iii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, December 7, 1894. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[iv] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, November 17, 1894. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[v] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, December 1, 1894. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[vi] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 13, 1930. P. 5. Newspapers.com.
[vii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 19, 1925. P. 4. Newspapers.com.
[viii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Thursday, February 15, 1923. P. 2. Newspapers.com.
[ix] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, January 12, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[x] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, April 13, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xi] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, April 27, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, July 6, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xiii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, December 21, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xiv] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, August 31, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, November 16, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xv] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, November 16, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xvi] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, October 12, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
Col. W.R. Gaddis, at one time proprietor of the popular Hotel de Vann here, died at Mineral Wells, Texas last week, where he was stopping with the hope of benefitting his health. Claremore Progress (Claremore, Oklahoma). Saturday, February 3, 1900. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xvii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, December 7, 1895. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
[xviii] Claremore Progress (Claremore, Indian Terr.). Saturday, January 18, 1896. P. 3. Newspapers.com.
Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change
W. Will Rogers Blvd. looking west at Cherokee Avenue. At left: O’Brien-Bridwell Building (1911), Theeson Bakery Building (1906), Gibbs’ Frame Building, Campbell Building (1911). Right side: Columbia Building Haas’ Store (1911), Gorey Building (1909) Johnson / Gorey Building (1909), Loomis Building (1906), Burns Building (1906), Bayless-Chambers Building (1905/6); GW Eaton Building, Wilson’s Hardware (1902), Windsor Opera House (1902). Source: Postcard: Christa Rice Collection.
A tempest intensified by a strong gust of wind and a falling brick wall on Father’s Day 2023, radically changed the course of the O’Brien-Bridwell building, located in Claremore, Oklahoma’s downtown historic district. The result was an unforeseen sale of the building and a restoration project instigated by Vines Properties, Inc. with Piotter Construction.
Aug. 19, 1910, the Claremore Messenger announced, E.W. O’Brien, “purchased the fifty-foot lot of C.A. Warner, located on the corner of Third (aka Will Rogers Blvd.) and Cherokee. He will move the frame buildings off and erect a nice modern two-story business block.” Construction began that October.
When completed, O’Brien’s building contained two expansive ground floor business rooms divided by an arched brick street-side stairway leading to the second floor. The building, with artistically designed interior pressed tin ceilings, boasted large glass storefront windows with more windows lining the first and second stories in front and along Cherokee Ave. In an era when electric lighting was in its infancy, the natural light of large windows was an asset to business owners.
The Rogers County News, Jan. 12, 1910, called the O’Brien “one of the most imposing and substantially built brick blocks in Claremore” when R.S. Saunders’ store occupied the east corner and E.E. North’s New York Store filled the west.
The county judge and sheriff moved their offices to the second floor of the O’Brien, toting a heavy safe with them.
Change was in the wind, March 8, 1912, when the Progress reported O’Brien’s building was sold. “E.W. O’Brien to Ida K. Bridwell, lot 10 and part lot 9 block 113, $18,000.” After 1921, the block would be called the Bridwell building.
In 1916, the O’Brien-Bridwell housed a billiard hall and grocery. S.P. Blakley’s American Café would locate there. G.H. Shafer would buy the café renaming it The Sanitary Waffle House in 1920.
The Claremore Messenger printed, Aug. 23, 1923, “Extensive improvements and the enlargement of the Bridwell block… (newly) occupied by the Parrott Chevrolet Co., has been announced… The addition to the building will be in the form of a 30-foot extension to the alley, while a frontage will also be had on Cherokee street which will provide a repair room and service station… The original building will be used by the Parrott company for a display and parts room.” Nearly 100 years later, this extension held the wall that crumbled in Oklahoma’s June 2023 whirlwind.
When Parrott moved out, Talley’s Hardware, moved in (Oct. 22, 1923). When Talley’s moved out (April 1926), The Oaks Café moved in. Then, Piggly Wiggly opened its grocery store in the business room next to the Oaks (1927). Renovating and remodeling would become the recurring cycle each time the building’s leases and furnishings were sold.
In the 1930s, a succession of transient business owners blew through the second floor’s hotel space. The Hotel Lahoma was renamed the Hotel Marvin, a quiet and respectable lodging house where “No musical instruments, boisterous noise or improper conduct” were permitted, according to the Claremore Messenger’s Nov. 27, 1930, edition. Due to ill health, the Marvins sold the hotel lease and furnishings to J.N. Steele (1931) who renamed the hostelry the Hotel Frisco, Steele having been a former Frisco railroad employee. Clara Keyes bought the lease calling it Hotel 66. She sold it to Tom Carroll who sold out, advertising in the Progress, Feb. 12 & 19, 1932, “For Sale or Trade – All furniture in Hotel 66 for good as new Ford or Chevrolet auto (or $300). Quick, got job in Ohio.” Mrs. Cannon took charge by July, followed by Elmo Murray who renamed the business Elmo’s Hotel & Apartments in 1935.
Below stairs, S.H. Bayouth moved in his Claremore Mercantile Company (1932). Next, came Boyd & Stanfill’s grocery which Chalk Market purchased in 1935. A new concrete floor was installed downstairs with other improvements made by owner Ida Bridwell in 1937.
The second floor changed markedly when Dr. R.C. Meloy located his new Claremore General Hospital in the Bridwell building from 1935 until about 1954. The Progress informed, July 2, 1935, “The twenty-two rooms over the Stanfill and Piggly Wiggly groceries are now being redecorated and prepared for occupancy… when completed, they will be absolutely sanitary in every respect. A large, modern surgery will be installed in the northeast corner of the building, which is well lighted with large, double windows on the north and one on the south… Modern x-ray, dressing and sterilizing rooms will also be located on the west side of the building. Two rooms for patients in the front of the building will separate the surgery from Dr. R.C. Meloy’s suite of offices, five rooms which will be operated separate and apart from the hospital. Private rooms and wards will be located on the east side of the building, with a modern and complete diet kitchen in the rear.”
Long-time Claremore residents still remember Dr. Meloy’s Hospital; Albert L. Cloniger’s “Home owned. Home Operated” Western Auto Associate Store (1939 – circa 1964), “first door east of the Piggly Wiggly store”; and Laura Hawks’ Claremore Hotel residing upstairs in the Bridwell from about 1955 – 1973.
But times were changing. Ann’s Cleaners and Laundry leased the east side, ground floor room of the Bridwell building in 1978. As the cleaning business grew, Ann Pate purchased the entire building. Tim Pate shared, the west side store space was filled with exercise equipment that had to be removed and upstairs residents needed to vacate their apartments. When Tim bought Ann’s Cleaners from his mother, the entire first floor was being used while the second floor remained vacant.
Change is the constant, moving Claremore’s 11-decades-old O’Brien-Bridwell building forward. With Vines Properties, Inc.’s purchase of the building in 2023, Piotter Construction has begun a new wave of renovation, picking up the pieces the stout winds dismantled. Winds of change are blowing through the expansive corridors of the O’Brien-Bridwell building once more, promising change – change for the better.
By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer
This story was originally published in the Claremore Daily Progress, weekend edition, Saturday & Sunday, January 20&21, 2024.
You can read the longer, more detailed, unabridged edition of “Claremore’s O’Brien-Bridwell Building – Winds of Change,” by clicking here.
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